Integrated polarization controllers with nano-electromechanical dielectric pertubation

• US 7,466,878 B2
• Filed: 02/10/2006
• Issued: 12/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Wong, Chee Wei, Ippen, Erich P., Phua, Poh-Boon
• Primary Examiner(s): Pak; Sung
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, CHAD
• Application Number:
  US11/351,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20060263001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 385/11
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/286 for controlling or changing the state of polarisation, e.g. transforming one polarisation state into another G02B5/3083 takes precedence; light guide coupling means utilising polarising elements G02B6/34
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3083 Birefringent or phase retarding elements G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/105 having optical polarisation effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/126 using polarisation effects G02B6/1226 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/274 based on light guide birefringence, e.g. due to coupling between light guides G02B6/105, G02B6/024 take precedence; mechanically induced birefringence G02F1/0134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2766 Manipulating the plane of polarisation from one input polarisation to another output polarisation, e.g. polarisation rotators, linear to circular polarisation converters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0128 based on electro-mechanical, magneto-mechanical, elasto-optic effects

Abstract

A polarization controller includes a phase retarder having a rotation about an {1,0,0} axis that receives an optical signal from a waveguide structure. At least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber produces ±45° birefringent axes by placing the at least one nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber at selective positions around the phase retarder to produce dynamic change in the effective index in one of the modes existent in an extraordinary axial direction.

Claims

1. A polarization controller comprising:

a phase retarder having a rotation about an {1,0,0} axis, said phase retarder coupled to a waveguide structure receiving an optical signal; and

at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturbers that produce ±

45°

birefringent axes by placing said at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturbers at selective positions around said waveguide structure to produce dynamic change in the effective index in one of the modes existent in an extraordinary axial direction by the sliding motion of said at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturbers using a suspended structure double-anchored on both sides of said waveguide with at least one comb-drive actuation mechanism.

2. The polarization controller of claim 1, wherein said one of said at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturbers are placed before the phase retarder, and another implemented after said phase retarder.

3. The polarization controller of claim 2, wherein said at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturbers comprise two quarter-wavelength plates.

4. A method of controlling states of a polarization controller comprising:

providing a rotation about an {1,0,0} axis for an optical signal received from a waveguide structure; and

producing ±

45°

birefringent axes by placing at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturbers at selective positions around said waveguide structure to produce dynamic change in the effective index in one of the modes existent in an extraordinary axial direction by the sliding motion of said at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturbers using a suspended structure double-anchored on both sides of said waveguide with at least one comb-drive actuation mechanism.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said one of said at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturbers are placed before the phase retarder, and another implemented after said phase retarder.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least two nanoelectromechanical dielectric perturber comprise two quarter-wavelength plates.