Abstract

It was recognized in the early days of nonlinear optics that waveguides provide the optimum beam confinement and long propagation distances needed for efficient nonlinear interactions. This led first to the demonstration of guided wave versions of plane wave nonlinear optical phenomena (e.g. doublers), and later to effects either unique to guided waves (e.g. modulational instabilities) or to phenomena for which the right conditions could only be met in waveguides (e.g. solitons). Over the years this has led to the demonstration of various devices such as efficient doublers for the blue and all-optical switching, logic and demultiplexing. Furthermore, new materials which will lower the device operating powers are continuously being reported.

© 1993 Optical Society of America