Optical signal processing apparatus and method

• US 20020031290A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Original Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Limited
• Inventors: Tsutsumi, Makoto
• Granted Patent: US 6,661,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0142 TE-TM mode conversion
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/09 based on magneto-optical elements, e.g. exhibiting Faraday effect
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/095 in an optical waveguide structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/2255 controlled by a high-frequency electromagnetic component in an electric waveguide structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/2955 by controlled diffraction or phased-array beam steering controlled diffraction for optical waveguide switching G02F1/313
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/055 wavelength filtering
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/24 beam steering

Abstract

An optical signal processing apparatus includes a YIG monocrystal serving as a magnetic body. A microstrip is provided on one main face of the YIG monocrystal, and microwaves are input to the microstrip. In order to input a laser beam into the YIG monocrystal, a semiconductor laser, a first lens, and a polarizer are disposed on the outside of one side surface of the YIG monocrystal with respect to the widthwise direction thereof. In order to detect a laser signal output from the YIG monocrystal, a analyzer, a second lens, and a photo detector are disposed on the outside of the other side surface of the YIG monocrystal with respect to the widthwise direction thereof.

Claims

1. An optical signal processing apparatus in which a microwave is applied to a strip line formed on a magnetic body in order to process an optical signal propagating through said magnetic body.

2. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic body is formed of a ferrite.

3. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said ferrite is an iron garnet.

4. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said iron garnet is YIG.

5. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic body is formed of a bulk monocrystal.

6. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic body is formed of a monocrystalline thin film.

7. An optical signal processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein a magnetic field is applied to said magnetic body.

8. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a general propagation direction of the optical signal within said magnetic body coincides with the application direction of the magnetic field, and the propagation direction of the microwave is substantially perpendicular to the application direction of the magnetic field and the propagation direction of the optical signal.

9. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a general propagation direction of the optical signal within said magnetic body, the propagation direction of the microwave, and the application direction of the magnetic field are substantially perpendicular to one another.

10. A filter comprising the optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 and a photo detector.

11. A filter according to claim 10, wherein said photo detector is selected from the group consisting of a photodiode, a phototransistor, a photoelectric tube, and a photo multiplier.

12. A TM-TE mode converter using the optical signal processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9.

13. An optical beam scanner using the optical signal processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9.

14. An electromagnetic field sensor using the optical signal processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1-9.

16. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said magnetic body is formed of a ferrite.

17. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said ferrite is an iron garnet.

18. An optical signal processing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said iron garnet is YIG.

15. An optical signal processing method in which a microwave is applied to a strip line formed on a magnetic body in order to process an optical signal propagating through the magnetic body.