Contradirectional frequency-selective couplers for guided-wave optics

Abstract

Frequency-selective optical couplers in which a periodic perturbation in refractive index induces contradirectional power transfer in parallel single-mode waveguides are analyzed. Expressions for the spectral response are obtained by solving the coupled-mode equations. It is shown that by varying the amplitude of the periodic perturbation along he direction of propagation, the sidelobes present for the case of a uniform perturbation can be substantially reduced. Calculations are made of the mode propagation constants and coupling parameters for two rectangular-core waveguides with a periodic surface corrugation in the region between them. By using these results, design parameters and theoretical performance characteristics for a coupler with high transfer efficiency, low cross talk, and low reflection efficiency in the primary waveguide are determined.