Title :
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
fDate :
2/1/1995 12:00:00 AM
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;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
