Abstract
Antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROW)1 support a leaky field which has been exploited for remote coupling and switching. We have modeled these devices using two methods. One method is based on modal interference where up to six modes are used to decompose the injected light beam. The other method is a geometrical approximation based on the coherent addition of rays reflecting and refracting at all the interfaces of the planar multiple-layer structure. We call this latter method RPM for ray propagation method. One geometry of particular interest is one where three light-guiding air layers are formed by the use of four 2-micron thick nitrocellulose pellicles. Mechanical motion of one of these pellicles by one micron suffices to efficiently switch light from one output port to the other. Another structure is designed in such a way so as to produce a wavelength-dependent switching ratio. This structure holds promise for wavelength division multiplexing applications in optical communications.
© 1993 Optical Society of America
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