Polarization splitter based on antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides

Author

Trutschel, U. ; Ouellette, F. ; Delisle, V. ; Duguay, M.A. ; Fogarty, G. ; Lederer, F.

Author_Institution

Electro-Opt. Technol. Center, Tufts Univ., Medford, MA, USA

Volume

13

Issue

2

fYear

1995

fDate

2/1/1995 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

239

Lastpage

243

Abstract

We propose the first polarization splitter based on antiresonant optical waveguides (ARROW´s). The three air core structure is built up of two moveable outer cladding layers and two fixed inner cladding layers. The moveability of both outer cladding layers makes micromechanical switching of the polarized light between two output channels possible. The polarization discrimination is realized through thin metal films deposited on the outermost surfaces of the outer cladding layers. The extinction ratios of channels 1 and 3 as a function of the thickness of all cladding layers are calculated. We found that for extinction ratios below -20 dB thickness fluctuations smaller than ±15 mm are allowed

Keywords

claddings; magnetic thin films; micromechanical devices; optical elements; optical films; optical planar waveguides; optical polarisers; optical switches; optical waveguide components; reflectivity; air core structure; antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides; extinction ratios; fixed inner cladding layers; micromechanical switchin; moveable outer cladding layers; output channels; polarization discrimination; polarization splitter; polarized light; thickness fluctuations; thin metal films; Extinction ratio; Micromechanical devices; Optical device fabrication; Optical polarization; Optical resonators; Optical surface waves; Optical waveguides; Propagation constant; Refractive index; Tunneling;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.365212

Filename

365212