Switched directional couplers with alternating ΔΒ

Abstract

Coupled waveguide structures with sections of alternating phase mismatch are proposed as switched directional coupler configurations in which complete conversion of light from one guide to the other can be achieved by an electrical adjustment. These structures can be used to make electrooptic switches and amplitude modulators in integrated optics form with improved conversion and on-off ratios. Couplers with 2, 3, 4, and <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">N</tex> sections of alternating phase mismatch are analyzed, and diagrams describing their switching characteristics are given.