Linear and Nonlinear Guided Wave Optical Devices Based on a Rigorous Theory for Intersecting Waveguides

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Intersecting waveguides are a natural waveguide element for integrated optics. As a passive element, they can be used as optical cross- connects between devices in an integrated optical circuit. The geometry can serve as a power splitter for broadcast circuits. Of greater interest is its potential as an optical crosspoint switch. Unfortunately, current theoretical analysis has been able to explain only the most trivial of experimental observations. In response to this develop a rigorous analytic method based on multiple scattering between waveguides. Theoretical analysis will be extended to examine optical intersecting waveguide devices incorporating the electro-optic and higher order nonlinear effects. Electro-optic devices will include switches, switch arrays, modulators, and tunable wavelength filters. The analysis will be followed by design and fabrication of these devices in LiNbo3. The intersecting waveguide geometry should also be ideal for fabricating guided wave all-optical non linear devices, including switches and optically bistable devices. The feasibility of incorporating the intersecting waveguide structure into a medium with reasonable third order nonlinearity will be examined. It is our intention to incorporate these results into a guided wave device, using as a substrate either semiconductor superlattice material or photorefractive compounds. Integration of our guided mode and radiation mode coupling results into a single coupled-mode theory will be pursued. This would permit simultaneously taking into account radiation loss and guided wave phenomenon in the analysis and design of intersecting waveguide devices.