Abstract

We describe an integrated-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer in which the branches are close enough to be strongly coupled and show that it behaves like an ordinary interferometer if the propagation constants for the two guides are sufficiently different. This design allows both low switching voltages and efficient coupling to the microwave driving circuit. Ti-diffused LiNbO₃ prototypes have been built and tested.

© 1986 Optical Society of America