Phase-locked arrays of antiguides: model content and discrimination

Author

Botez, Dan ; Mawst, Luke J. ; Peterson, Gary L. ; Roth, Thomas J.

Author_Institution

TRW, Redondo Beach, CA, USA

Volume

26

Issue

3

fYear

1990

fDate

3/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

482

Lastpage

495

Abstract

Three classes of array modes of closely spaced antiguides are analyzed: coupled fundamental (element) modes, coupled first-order (element) modes, and modes adjacent to coupled fundamental modes. The behavior of coupled fundamental modes as a function of lateral index step is analyzed and explained from a ray-optics point of view. It is found that at resonance, for both coupled fundamental and first-order modes, the array-mode propagation constant is virtually identical to the propagation constant of the mode of a single, unperturbed antiguide. Several types of mode discrimination mechanisms are discussed. For devices with 3-μm-wide antiguide cores and 1-μm interelement spacing, intermodal discrimination values of 15-20 cm^-1 can be achieved. Excellent agreement is found between experimental data and theoretical predictions based on the effective-index method

Keywords

geometrical optics; laser modes; optical couplers; optical waveguides; refractive index; semiconductor junction lasers; 1 micron; 3 micron; antiguide cores; array modes; array-mode propagation constant; closely spaced antiguides; coupled first-order; coupled fundamental; effective-index method; fundamental modes; interelement spacing; laser modes; lateral index step; mode discrimination mechanisms; phase-locked antiguide arrays; radiation loss; ray-optics; resonance; unperturbed antiguide; Coupled mode analysis; Diffraction; Optical arrays; Optical refraction; Optical variables control; Optical waveguides; Phased arrays; Propagation constant; Resonance; Space technology;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.52124

Filename

52124