Abstract

Polarization independent devices are important in many applications of integrated optics since they make possible a simple interfacing to conventional fibers. However, these devices generally require higher voltages (roughly a factor of 3 to 10 compared to a polarization dependent device); a lower factor in general involves severe fabrication tolerances^1,2,3,4,5); when these tolerances are reduced to those of the ordinary stepped Δβ device, this factor tends to increase⁶⁾. The higher voltage length product of polarization independent devices implies restrictions on the level of integration, and the speed of device operation. Even so, these devices have important applications in local area networks, signal distribution systems, bus systems etc. Below we report a novel type of polarization independent integrated optics switch, which combines modest fabrication tolerances with a drive voltage which is only a factor of 5 greater than a conventional switch. These features, which are obtained by a combination of Δβ and Δκ modulation make the switch amenable to integration.

© 1988 Optical Society of America