Abstract

Nonlinear optical waveguide couplers show potential for optical switching in optical data processing. Such couplers consist of two parallel waveguides, in close proximity to one another, surrounded by a Kerr-type medium. Nonlinear couplers have been theoretically analyzed¹ and experimental results have been reported as well.² An important parameter which arises in the analysis of the nonlinear coupler is the nonlinear perturbation coefficient Q. Previous analyses have only approximated this coefficient or estimated it from experiments. This paper presents an exact form for the nonlinear perturbation coefficient, both for single-mode fiber couplers and for channel-type waveguides. The calculated values of Q differ appreciably from earlier estimates. Numerical values of the coefficient are also presented for various nonlinear materials.

© 1985 Optical Society of America