US20170038659A1 - Vertical electro-optically coupled switch - Google Patents
Vertical electro-optically coupled switch Download PDFInfo
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- US20170038659A1 US20170038659A1 US15/298,870 US201615298870A US2017038659A1 US 20170038659 A1 US20170038659 A1 US 20170038659A1 US 201615298870 A US201615298870 A US 201615298870A US 2017038659 A1 US2017038659 A1 US 2017038659A1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/29—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection
- G02F1/31—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching
- G02F1/313—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure
- G02F1/3132—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure of directional coupler type
- G02F1/3134—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure of directional coupler type controlled by a high-frequency electromagnetic wave component in an electric waveguide structure
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/0009—Materials therefor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/0009—Materials therefor
- G02F1/0018—Electro-optical materials
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/29—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection
- G02F1/31—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching
- G02F1/313—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure
- G02F1/3132—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure of directional coupler type
- G02F1/3133—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure of directional coupler type the optical waveguides being made of semiconducting materials
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/011—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour in optical waveguides, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
- G02F1/0113—Glass-based, e.g. silica-based, optical waveguides
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/29—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection
- G02F1/31—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching
- G02F1/313—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure
- G02F1/3132—Digital deflection, i.e. optical switching in an optical waveguide structure of directional coupler type
- G02F1/3135—Vertical structure
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- G02F2001/3135—
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F2201/00—Constructional arrangements not provided for in groups G02F1/00 - G02F7/00
- G02F2201/12—Constructional arrangements not provided for in groups G02F1/00 - G02F7/00 electrode
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F2202/00—Materials and properties
- G02F2202/10—Materials and properties semiconductor
- G02F2202/108—Materials and properties semiconductor quantum wells
Definitions
- the present invention pertains generally to systems and methods that employ switches and modulators during the transmission of optical signals through optical waveguides. More specifically, the present invention pertains to optical switches and modulators that employ a cross-coupling material which is sandwiched between two waveguides, wherein the waveguides are aligned parallel to each other, and an electric field, E, is used to change the refractive index, tic, of the cross-coupling material to transfer an optical signal from one waveguide to the other.
- E electric field
- the present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as an electro-optically coupled switch wherein the cross coupling material is structured as a thin, flat layer, and the electrical field, E, is strong and uniform, with flux lines oriented substantially perpendicular to the entire layer of cross-coupling material and confined between the waveguides.
- an optical waveguide is a physical structure which guides electromagnetic waves (e.g. light) through the structure.
- the guidance, or confinement, of light by the waveguide is the result of internal reflections within the waveguide.
- these internal reflections result when the difference between the refractive index, n wg , of the waveguide material, and that of the surrounding environment, n e , has a certain value. Otherwise, there may be no confinement, or inefficient confinement, of light within the waveguide.
- an applied electric field can change the refractive index of a material through a linear or nonlinear electro-optic effect such as the well-known Pockets' effect (linear) or the Kerr effect (nonlinear).
- the Pockets' electro-optic effect is a case wherein the influence of a voltage that is applied across a material will change the index of refraction, n, of the material by an amount, ⁇ n, which can be mathematically expressed as:
- an electric field E is applied between two cross-coupled optical waveguides which are separated by an electro-optic material having a refractive index, n eo .
- the electric field, E changes the refractive index, n eo , of the cross-coupling material to modify the cross-coupling characteristics between the two optical waveguides.
- light traveling along one waveguide is moved to the other waveguide.
- the design of a vertical, waveguide optical switch as envisioned for the present invention involves several interactive factors of particular importance. These include: the separation distance, d, between the waveguides (i.e. the thickness of the cross-coupling material); the refractive index of the cross-coupling material, n c , (also sometimes referred to herein as n eo ); and the design (i.e. configuration) of the electric field E.
- the ability of the device i.e. electro-optic switch
- the ability of the device i.e. electro-optic switch
- the electric field, E passing through the cross-coupling material should be uniform (i.e. the electric field flux lines are parallel to each other).
- an object of the present invention to provide an electro-optically coupled switch having a cross-coupling material with a refractive index, n c , that ensures good optical confinement between two waveguides.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an electro-optically coupled switch with a cross-coupling material having a refractive index, n c , that establishes a strong electro-optic modulation coefficient.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to design the structure for an electro-optic switch having the proper waveguide separation to achieve strong waveguide cross-coupling; while maximizing the electro-optic efficiency of the device by providing good optical confinement in the cross-coupling material that facilitates the transfer of light into or out of the waveguide.
- a vertical electro-optically coupled switch includes first and second waveguides, with a layer of cross-coupling material positioned between the waveguides.
- the first and second waveguides, together with the cross-coupling material located therebetween, create what is sometimes hereinafter referred to as a waveguide stack.
- an electric field, E is established through the cross-coupling material. Variations in E can then be made (i.e. a switching voltage, V ⁇ ) to change the refractive index of the cross-coupling material, n c (i.e. n c ⁇ n eo ).
- V ⁇ switching voltage
- the intended result here is to transfer the transmission of an optical signal, ⁇ , from one waveguide to the other.
- the layer of cross-coupling material should have a depth, d, and it should be coextensive with the length, L, of the waveguides.
- the refractive index of a first waveguide, n wg1 will be equal to, or nearly equal to, the refractive index of a second waveguide, n wg2 (i.e. n wg1 ⁇ n wg2 ).
- the refractive index of the cross-coupling material, n c needs to be much greater than the respective indexes n wg1 and n wg2 of the first and second waveguides (i.e.
- n wg1 ⁇ n c n wg2 ).
- this selection of refractive indexes is made, along with consideration of the distance, d, to achieve strong waveguide cross-coupling, good optical confinement, and an optimum electro-optic modulation efficiency.
- the distance, d, between waveguides will be smaller than the value of L/n wg (i.e. d ⁇ L/n wg ).
- the waveguide width, W is optimized to improve optical confinement and to reduce optical loss.
- E With regard to the electric field, E, as noted above it must be strong and uniform. Further, flux lines of the electric field, E, are to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the layer of cross-coupling material that is positioned between the waveguides. Furthermore, the electric field, E, is to be confined between the waveguides across the entire layer of the cross coupling material. To do this a filler material having a refractive index, n f , is positioned against the cross-coupling material between the waveguides.
- the depth, d, of the cross-coupling material, the length, L, of the waveguides, and the refractive indexes n wg1 , n wg2 , and n c , as well as the field strength for E, all need to be selected ,and based upon the wavelength, ⁇ , of the optical signal that is being transmitted.
- the cross-coupling material may be a polymer, when the first and second waveguides are also polymers.
- the cross-coupling material may also be a polymer when the waveguides are a SiON/silica material.
- the cross-coupling material can either be a polymer, a PIN planar-diode-structure semiconductor, or a PIN multiple-quantum-well semiconductor,
- a voltage source is connected to the waveguide stack for selectively establishing a uniform electric field, E, through the cross-coupling material.
- E the electric field
- the electric field, E is confined in the cross-coupling material by a filler material which encloses the cross-coupling material between the first waveguide and the second waveguide.
- the electric field, E is oriented everywhere across the cross-coupling material, perpendicular to the layer of cross-coupling material.
- this switch is a means for imposing a switching voltage, V ⁇ , to the waveguide stack.
- V ⁇ the switching voltage, V ⁇
- the switching voltage, V ⁇ is used to selectively change the refractive index, n c , of the cross-coupling material.
- the first waveguide and the second waveguide are made of a SiON/silica material, and the cross-coupling material is a polymer.
- the means for imposing V ⁇ on the waveguide stack includes a first transparent electrical contact that is connected with the voltage source and is positioned between the first waveguide and the cross-coupling material.
- a second transparent electrical contact which is connected with the voltage source and positioned between the second waveguide and the cross-coupling material is also included.
- the first waveguide, the second waveguide and the cross-coupling material can all be made of a polymer.
- the first waveguide and the second waveguide are each made of a same, lightly-doped, electrically-conductive material, and the waveguides are individually positioned in contact with the voltage source.
- both the first waveguide and the second waveguide are N doped.
- the means for imposing the switching voltage, V ⁇ , to the waveguide stack will then include a first N + doped layer that is positioned in electrical contact between the first N doped waveguide and the voltage source.
- a second N + doped layer is positioned in electrical contact between the second N doped waveguide and the voltage source.
- the cross coupling material is preferably a polymer.
- the first waveguide is P doped and the second waveguide is N doped.
- the means for imposing V ⁇ to the waveguide stack includes a first doped layer positioned in electrical contact between the first P doped waveguide and the voltage source.
- a second N + doped layer is positioned in electrical contact between the second N doped waveguide and the voltage source.
- the cross-coupling material can be either a PIN planar-diode-structure semiconductor, or a PIN multiple-quantum-well semiconductor.
- the switch can include a first input port at the upstream end of the first waveguide, and a first output port at the downstream end of the first waveguide. Also, the switch can include a second output port at the downstream end of the second waveguide.
- a second input port can be used at the upstream end of the second waveguide. In this case, when an incoming optical signal, ⁇ ′, is received at the second input port, it can be selectively routed to the first output port by the switching voltage, V ⁇ .
- FIG. 1 is a perspective-schematic view of a system for transmitting optical signals, which includes an electro-optically coupled switch in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the electro-optically coupled switch for the present invention as seen along the line 2 - 2 in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of an exemplary switch in accordance with the present invention, as seen along the line 3 - 3 in FIG. 1 , showing the switch/modulation functionality of the present invention;
- FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of another embodiment of the electro optically coupled switch for the present invention as seen along the line 4 - 4 in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of still another embodiment of the electro-optically coupled switch for the present invention as seen along the line 5 - 5 in FIG. 1 .
- an electro-optically coupled switch in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10 .
- the switch 10 includes an enclosure 12 for holding and protecting the electro-optic components of the switch 10 .
- an access connector 14 is provided for connecting the electro-optic components (not shown in FIG. 1 ) with an external voltage source 16 .
- a queue control 18 and a routing control 20 are incorporated with the voltage source 16 to respectively provide for the sequencing, routing and modulation of optical signals, ⁇ , as they pass through the electro-optically coupled switch 10 .
- the enclosure 12 includes an input port 22 for optically connecting an optical waveguide 24 with the switch 10 .
- an input port 26 is provided by the enclosure 12 for optically connecting an optical waveguide 28 with the switch 10 .
- the optical waveguides 30 and 32 will have similar connections with the enclosure 12 .
- the switch 10 includes a waveguide 34 and a waveguide 36 that are respectively protected by a cladding 38 and a cladding 40 .
- each waveguide 34 and 36 has a width, W, and a length, L, and they are vertically aligned in parallel with each other.
- the switch 10 includes a metal connector 42 (e.g. +V) and a metal connector 44 (e.g. ⁇ V) which are respectively connected with a transparent electrical contact 46 and a transparent electrical contact 48 .
- a cross-coupling material 50 is positioned between the transparent electrical contacts 46 and 48 .
- the transparent electrical contacts 46 and 48 are in direct contact with the cross-coupling material 50 , and are everywhere separated from each other by a distance, d. Further, the transparent electrical contacts 46 and 48 are positioned opposite each other from the cross-coupling material 50 . And, they are each positioned between the cross-coupling material 50 and a respective waveguide 34 and 36 . Additionally, a filler material 52 is provided to electrically confine the cross-coupling material 50 between the transparent electrical contacts 46 and 48 .
- the differences in the refractive index of the various materials used are important.
- the refractive index of waveguide 34 (a first waveguide), n wg1 will be equal to, or nearly equal to, the refractive index of waveguide 36 (a second waveguide), n wg2 .
- the refractive indexes of the waveguides 34 and 36 will be the same, or nearly the same, n wg1 ⁇ n wg2 .
- the refractive index of the cross-coupling material 50 , n c (also sometimes noted herein as n eo ) needs to be much greater than the respective indexes n wg1 and n wg2 of the first and second waveguides 34 and 36 (i.e. n wg1 ⁇ n c >>n wg2 ).
- this arrangement is made to achieve strong waveguide cross-coupling, good optical confinement in the cross-coupling material, and efficient electro-optic modulation, with a proper waveguide separation distance, d.
- n c 1.7
- n wg 1.57
- d 0.5 ⁇ m.
- the refractive index of the filler material 52 needs to be smaller than all of the others (i.e. n c >>n wg(1 and 2) >n f , and n wg1 ⁇ n wg2 ).
- the metal connector 42 and the metal connector 44 are separately connected with the voltage source 16 .
- a +V can be provided to the metal connector 42 by the voltage source 16
- a ⁇ V can be provided to the metal connector 44 .
- a switching voltage, ⁇ V ⁇ can be applied through the cross-coupling material 50 that will change its refractive index, n c .
- the cross-coupling material 50 may be a polymer, when the waveguides 34 and 36 are also polymers, or when the waveguides 34 and 36 are made of a SiON/silica material.
- an optical signal, ⁇ can be directed either onto a pathway 54 (solid arrows) or a pathway 56 (dashed arrows).
- the switching voltage, V ⁇ can be used to guide an optical signal, ⁇ , which enters the switch 10 through the input port 22 to exit the switch 10 from either the output port 58 of waveguide 36 or the output port 60 of waveguide 34 .
- the routing control 20 can influence the voltage source 16 to selectively establish the switching voltage, V ⁇ , and thereby generate the electrical field, E.
- the electrical field, E when generated, is uniform with the flux lines of the field oriented substantially perpendicular to the length, L, of the waveguides 34 and 36 .
- the purpose here is to influence the transit of an optical signal, ⁇ , through the switch 10 .
- FIG. 1 For an exemplary operation of the switch 10 , refer back to FIG. 1 .
- an optical signal, ⁇ in-a as input from optical waveguide 24 , into the waveguide 36 via input port 22 .
- an optical signal, ⁇ ′ in-b as input from optical waveguide 28 , into the waveguide 34 via input port 26 .
- subscript “a” pertains to waveguide 36
- subscript “b” pertains to waveguide 34 .
- optical signal, ⁇ in optical waveguide, 24 will enter switch 10 via input port 22 , transit switch 10 on pathway 54 , and exit from switch 10 via the output port 58 ( FIG. 3 ) and into the optical waveguide 30 as optical signal, ⁇ out-a .
- optical signal, ⁇ ′ when considering the optical signal, ⁇ ′, it is to be appreciated that with no switching voltage, V ⁇ , optical signal, ⁇ ′ in-b , will enter switch 10 from optical waveguide 28 via input port 26 . Optical signal, will then transit switch 10 and exit via the output port 60 ( FIG. 3 ) and into the optical waveguide 32 as optical signal, ⁇ ′ out-b . With a switching voltage, V ⁇ , imposed on the cross-coupling material 50 , however, the optical signal, ⁇ ′ in-b , will transit switch 10 to exit from switch 10 via the output port 58 ( FIG. 3 ), and into the optical waveguide 30 as optical signal ⁇ ′ out-a .
- V ⁇ switching voltage
- the switch 10 can be used either as a switch or as a modulator. Further, it will be appreciated that the queue control 18 can be used as a gate to provide for alternating or sequential access of the optical signals, ⁇ and ⁇ ′, to the switch 10 . As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, when switch 10 is used as a modulator, only one continuous wave (CW) light input port 22 and one optical output port (e.g. output port 58 , FIG. 3 ) are required,
- FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment for the present invention wherein the waveguide 34 and the waveguide 36 are each made of a same, lightly-doped, electrically-conductive material.
- the waveguides 34 and 36 are individually positioned in contact with the voltage source 16 .
- both the waveguide 34 and the waveguide 36 are N doped.
- the means for imposing the switching voltage, V ⁇ includes an N + doped layer 62 that is positioned in electrical contact between the N doped waveguide 34 and the metal connector 44 .
- an N + doped layer 64 is positioned in electrical contact between the N doped waveguide 36 and the metal connector 42 .
- the cross coupling material 50 is a polymer.
- FIG. 5 shows another alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the waveguide 34 is P doped and the waveguide 36 is N doped.
- the means for imposing V ⁇ includes a P + doped layer 66 positioned in electrical contact between the P doped waveguide 34 and the metal connector 44 .
- an N + doped layer 68 which is positioned in electrical contact between the N doped waveguide 36 and the metal connector 42 .
- the cross-coupling material 50 can be either a PIN planar-diode-structure semiconductor, or a PIN multiple-quantum-well semiconductor.
Abstract
An electro-optically coupled switch includes first and second waveguides which are aligned in parallel to each other, with a thin, flat layer of cross-coupling material sandwiched therebetween. A voltage source is provided to establish a strong uniform electric field that is oriented perpendicular across the entire layer of cross-coupling material between the waveguides. Incorporated with the voltage source is a switch for changing the electric field, to thereby alter the refractive index of the cross-coupling material for transferring the transmission of an optical signal from one waveguide to the other.
Description
- This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 14/687,726, filed Apr. 15, 2015, which is currently pending. The contents of application Ser. No. 14/687,726 are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention pertains generally to systems and methods that employ switches and modulators during the transmission of optical signals through optical waveguides. More specifically, the present invention pertains to optical switches and modulators that employ a cross-coupling material which is sandwiched between two waveguides, wherein the waveguides are aligned parallel to each other, and an electric field, E, is used to change the refractive index, tic, of the cross-coupling material to transfer an optical signal from one waveguide to the other. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as an electro-optically coupled switch wherein the cross coupling material is structured as a thin, flat layer, and the electrical field, E, is strong and uniform, with flux lines oriented substantially perpendicular to the entire layer of cross-coupling material and confined between the waveguides.
- It is well known that an optical waveguide is a physical structure which guides electromagnetic waves (e.g. light) through the structure. The guidance, or confinement, of light by the waveguide is the result of internal reflections within the waveguide. As a physical event, these internal reflections result when the difference between the refractive index, nwg, of the waveguide material, and that of the surrounding environment, ne, has a certain value. Otherwise, there may be no confinement, or inefficient confinement, of light within the waveguide.
- It is also well known that an applied electric field can change the refractive index of a material through a linear or nonlinear electro-optic effect such as the well-known Pockets' effect (linear) or the Kerr effect (nonlinear). In particular, the Pockets' electro-optic effect is a case wherein the influence of a voltage that is applied across a material will change the index of refraction, n, of the material by an amount, Δn, which can be mathematically expressed as:
-
Δn=−rn 3 E/2 - where r is the Pockets' constant, and E is the strength of the electric field.
- In the context of a planar, waveguide coupler switch, an electric field E is applied between two cross-coupled optical waveguides which are separated by an electro-optic material having a refractive index, neo. When applied, the electric field, E, changes the refractive index, neo, of the cross-coupling material to modify the cross-coupling characteristics between the two optical waveguides. As a result, light traveling along one waveguide is moved to the other waveguide.
- With the above in mind, the design of a vertical, waveguide optical switch as envisioned for the present invention involves several interactive factors of particular importance. These include: the separation distance, d, between the waveguides (i.e. the thickness of the cross-coupling material); the refractive index of the cross-coupling material, nc, (also sometimes referred to herein as neo); and the design (i.e. configuration) of the electric field E.
- In particular, insofar as the design of the electric field is concerned, the ability of the device (i.e. electro-optic switch) to configure and confine the electric field, E, relative to the cross-coupling material is of paramount importance. Specifically, the concern here for a design of the electric field, E, is three-fold. First: the electric field, E, passing through the cross-coupling material should be uniform (i.e. the electric field flux lines are parallel to each other). Second: flux lines of the electric field, E, should be confined to the cross-coupling material. And third: the flux lines of the electric field, E, should be aligned with the polarization direction of the cross-coupling material (i.e. perpendicular to the light beam pathway in the waveguides). The purpose for harmonizing these factors is to optimize the electro-optic modulation efficiency of the device.
- In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electro-optically coupled switch having a cross-coupling material with a refractive index, nc, that ensures good optical confinement between two waveguides. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electro-optically coupled switch with a cross-coupling material having a refractive index, nc, that establishes a strong electro-optic modulation coefficient. Yet another object of the present invention is to design the structure for an electro-optic switch having the proper waveguide separation to achieve strong waveguide cross-coupling; while maximizing the electro-optic efficiency of the device by providing good optical confinement in the cross-coupling material that facilitates the transfer of light into or out of the waveguide. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electro-optically coupled switch wherein a uniform electric field, E, is confined and directed through a layer of cross-coupling material that is sandwiched between two optical waveguides, and wherein the electric field intensity is normal to the layer of cross-coupling material. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electro-optically coupled switch that is simple to manufacture, is easy to use and is comparatively cost effective.
- In accordance with the present invention, a vertical electro-optically coupled switch includes first and second waveguides, with a layer of cross-coupling material positioned between the waveguides. In combination, the first and second waveguides, together with the cross-coupling material located therebetween, create what is sometimes hereinafter referred to as a waveguide stack. In any event, an electric field, E, is established through the cross-coupling material. Variations in E can then be made (i.e. a switching voltage, Vπ) to change the refractive index of the cross-coupling material, nc (i.e. nc≡neo). The intended result here is to transfer the transmission of an optical signal, λ, from one waveguide to the other. Several structural aspects of the cross-coupling material, as well as functional aspects, of the electric field, E, are particularly important.
- For purposes of the present invention, the layer of cross-coupling material should have a depth, d, and it should be coextensive with the length, L, of the waveguides. As envisioned for the present invention, the refractive index of a first waveguide, nwg1, will be equal to, or nearly equal to, the refractive index of a second waveguide, nwg2 (i.e. nwg1≈nwg2). Importantly, however, the refractive index of the cross-coupling material, nc, needs to be much greater than the respective indexes nwg1 and nwg2 of the first and second waveguides (i.e. nwg1<<nc>>nwg2). Specifically, this selection of refractive indexes is made, along with consideration of the distance, d, to achieve strong waveguide cross-coupling, good optical confinement, and an optimum electro-optic modulation efficiency. Typically, the distance, d, between waveguides will be smaller than the value of L/nwg (i.e. d<L/nwg). Further, the waveguide width, W, is optimized to improve optical confinement and to reduce optical loss.
- With regard to the electric field, E, as noted above it must be strong and uniform. Further, flux lines of the electric field, E, are to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the layer of cross-coupling material that is positioned between the waveguides. Furthermore, the electric field, E, is to be confined between the waveguides across the entire layer of the cross coupling material. To do this a filler material having a refractive index, nf, is positioned against the cross-coupling material between the waveguides.
- For a construction of the present invention, the depth, d, of the cross-coupling material, the length, L, of the waveguides, and the refractive indexes nwg1, nwg2, and nc, as well as the field strength for E, all need to be selected ,and based upon the wavelength, λ, of the optical signal that is being transmitted. As envisioned for the present invention, the cross-coupling material may be a polymer, when the first and second waveguides are also polymers. The cross-coupling material may also be a polymer when the waveguides are a SiON/silica material. On the other hand, if the waveguides are doped materials then, depending on the doping used, the cross-coupling material can either be a polymer, a PIN planar-diode-structure semiconductor, or a PIN multiple-quantum-well semiconductor,
- A voltage source is connected to the waveguide stack for selectively establishing a uniform electric field, E, through the cross-coupling material. Preferably, the electric field, E, is confined in the cross-coupling material by a filler material which encloses the cross-coupling material between the first waveguide and the second waveguide. Furthermore, and most importantly, the electric field, E, is oriented everywhere across the cross-coupling material, perpendicular to the layer of cross-coupling material.
- Incorporated with the voltage source is an electric switch. Specifically, this switch is a means for imposing a switching voltage, Vπ, to the waveguide stack. In particular, the switching voltage, Vπ, is used to selectively change the refractive index, nc, of the cross-coupling material.
- In a preferred embodiment of a waveguide stack for the present invention, the first waveguide and the second waveguide are made of a SiON/silica material, and the cross-coupling material is a polymer. For this embodiment, the means for imposing Vπ on the waveguide stack includes a first transparent electrical contact that is connected with the voltage source and is positioned between the first waveguide and the cross-coupling material. A second transparent electrical contact which is connected with the voltage source and positioned between the second waveguide and the cross-coupling material is also included. In a variation of the preferred embodiment, the first waveguide, the second waveguide and the cross-coupling material can all be made of a polymer.
- In a first alternate embodiment of the present invention, the first waveguide and the second waveguide are each made of a same, lightly-doped, electrically-conductive material, and the waveguides are individually positioned in contact with the voltage source. Specifically, both the first waveguide and the second waveguide are N doped. The means for imposing the switching voltage, Vπ, to the waveguide stack will then include a first N+ doped layer that is positioned in electrical contact between the first N doped waveguide and the voltage source. Similarly, a second N+ doped layer is positioned in electrical contact between the second N doped waveguide and the voltage source. For this embodiment of the present invention the cross coupling material is preferably a polymer.
- In a second alternate embodiment of the present invention, the first waveguide is P doped and the second waveguide is N doped. In this case, the means for imposing Vπ to the waveguide stack includes a first doped layer positioned in electrical contact between the first P doped waveguide and the voltage source. Also, a second N+ doped layer is positioned in electrical contact between the second N doped waveguide and the voltage source. For this second alternate embodiment the cross-coupling material can be either a PIN planar-diode-structure semiconductor, or a PIN multiple-quantum-well semiconductor.
- For an operation of the present invention, the switch can include a first input port at the upstream end of the first waveguide, and a first output port at the downstream end of the first waveguide. Also, the switch can include a second output port at the downstream end of the second waveguide. With this arrangement, when an incoming optical signal, λ, is received at the first input port it can be selectively routed to the second output port by the switching voltage, Vπ. As an additional feature of the present invention, a second input port can be used at the upstream end of the second waveguide. In this case, when an incoming optical signal, λ′, is received at the second input port, it can be selectively routed to the first output port by the switching voltage, Vπ.
- The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective-schematic view of a system for transmitting optical signals, which includes an electro-optically coupled switch in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the electro-optically coupled switch for the present invention as seen along the line 2-2 inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of an exemplary switch in accordance with the present invention, as seen along the line 3-3 inFIG. 1 , showing the switch/modulation functionality of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of another embodiment of the electro optically coupled switch for the present invention as seen along the line 4-4 inFIG. 1 ; and -
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of still another embodiment of the electro-optically coupled switch for the present invention as seen along the line 5-5 inFIG. 1 . - Referring initially to
FIG. 1 , an electro-optically coupled switch in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated 10. As shown, theswitch 10 includes anenclosure 12 for holding and protecting the electro-optic components of theswitch 10. Also, anaccess connector 14 is provided for connecting the electro-optic components (not shown inFIG. 1 ) with anexternal voltage source 16. Aqueue control 18 and arouting control 20 are incorporated with thevoltage source 16 to respectively provide for the sequencing, routing and modulation of optical signals, λ, as they pass through the electro-optically coupledswitch 10. - Still referring to
FIG. 1 , it will be seen that theenclosure 12 includes aninput port 22 for optically connecting anoptical waveguide 24 with theswitch 10. Similarly, aninput port 26 is provided by theenclosure 12 for optically connecting anoptical waveguide 28 with theswitch 10. It is to be appreciated that theoptical waveguides enclosure 12. - In
FIG. 2 the internal, electro-optic components for a preferred embodiment of theswitch 10 are shown. There it will be seen that theswitch 10 includes awaveguide 34 and awaveguide 36 that are respectively protected by acladding 38 and acladding 40. In more detail, eachwaveguide switch 10 includes a metal connector 42 (e.g. +V) and a metal connector 44 (e.g. −V) which are respectively connected with a transparentelectrical contact 46 and a transparentelectrical contact 48. Further, across-coupling material 50 is positioned between the transparentelectrical contacts electrical contacts cross-coupling material 50, and are everywhere separated from each other by a distance, d. Further, the transparentelectrical contacts cross-coupling material 50. And, they are each positioned between thecross-coupling material 50 and arespective waveguide filler material 52 is provided to electrically confine thecross-coupling material 50 between the transparentelectrical contacts - Within the combination of components for the
switch 10 shown inFIG. 2 , the differences in the refractive index of the various materials used are important. In detail, the refractive index of waveguide 34 (a first waveguide), nwg1, will be equal to, or nearly equal to, the refractive index of waveguide 36 (a second waveguide), nwg2. For purposes of the present invention, the refractive indexes of thewaveguides cross-coupling material 50, nc, (also sometimes noted herein as neo) needs to be much greater than the respective indexes nwg1 and nwg2 of the first andsecond waveguides 34 and 36 (i.e. nwg1<<nc>>nwg2). As noted above, this arrangement is made to achieve strong waveguide cross-coupling, good optical confinement in the cross-coupling material, and efficient electro-optic modulation, with a proper waveguide separation distance, d. For example, nc=1.7, nwg=1.57, and d=0.5 μm. Also, the refractive index of thefiller material 52, nf, needs to be smaller than all of the others (i.e. nc>>nwg(1 and 2)>nf, and nwg1≈nwg2). As shown, themetal connector 42 and themetal connector 44 are separately connected with thevoltage source 16. Thus, a +V can be provided to themetal connector 42 by thevoltage source 16, and a −V can be provided to themetal connector 44. The result is that a switching voltage, ΔVπ, can be applied through thecross-coupling material 50 that will change its refractive index, nc. As envisioned for the present invention, thecross-coupling material 50 may be a polymer, when thewaveguides waveguides - An operation of the
switch 10 will be best appreciated with reference toFIG. 3 . There it will be seen that, depending on the influence of the switching voltage, Vπ, an optical signal, λ, can be directed either onto a pathway 54 (solid arrows) or a pathway 56 (dashed arrows). The consequence of this is that, the switching voltage, Vπ, can be used to guide an optical signal, λ, which enters theswitch 10 through theinput port 22 to exit theswitch 10 from either theoutput port 58 ofwaveguide 36 or theoutput port 60 ofwaveguide 34. - With the above in mind, and by returning to
FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that therouting control 20 can influence thevoltage source 16 to selectively establish the switching voltage, Vπ, and thereby generate the electrical field, E. Importantly, the electrical field, E, when generated, is uniform with the flux lines of the field oriented substantially perpendicular to the length, L, of thewaveguides switch 10. - For an exemplary operation of the
switch 10, refer back toFIG. 1 . In this example, consider an optical signal, λin-a, as input fromoptical waveguide 24, into thewaveguide 36 viainput port 22. Also consider an optical signal, λ′in-b, as input fromoptical waveguide 28, into thewaveguide 34 viainput port 26. For purposes of this example, subscript “a” pertains to waveguide 36, while subscript “b” pertains to waveguide 34. - With cross-reference between
FIG. 1 andFIG. 3 , and first considering only the optical signal, λ, it is to be appreciated that with no switching voltage, Vπ, there is no electric field, E, through thecross-coupling material 50. Accordingly, optical signal, λ, in optical waveguide, 24 will enterswitch 10 viainput port 22,transit switch 10 onpathway 54, and exit fromswitch 10 via the output port 58 (FIG. 3 ) and into theoptical waveguide 30 as optical signal, λout-a. On the other hand, with a switching voltage, Vπ, imposed on thecross coupling material 50, an electric field, E, is generated through thecross coupling material 50 to change the refractive index, nc (neo), of thecross coupling material 50. In this case, the optical signal, λin-a, will transit switch 10 onpathway 56, and exit fromswitch 10 via the output port 60 (FIG. 3 ), and into theoptical waveguide 32 as optical signal, λout-b. - Similarly, when considering the optical signal, λ′, it is to be appreciated that with no switching voltage, Vπ, optical signal, λ′in-b, will enter switch 10 from
optical waveguide 28 viainput port 26. Optical signal, will then transitswitch 10 and exit via the output port 60 (FIG. 3 ) and into theoptical waveguide 32 as optical signal, λ′out-b. With a switching voltage, Vπ, imposed on thecross-coupling material 50, however, the optical signal, λ′in-b, will transit switch 10 to exit fromswitch 10 via the output port 58 (FIG. 3 ), and into theoptical waveguide 30 as optical signal λ′out-a. - Still referring to
FIG. 1 it is to be appreciated that theswitch 10 can be used either as a switch or as a modulator. Further, it will be appreciated that thequeue control 18 can be used as a gate to provide for alternating or sequential access of the optical signals, λ and λ′, to theswitch 10. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, whenswitch 10 is used as a modulator, only one continuous wave (CW)light input port 22 and one optical output port (e.g. output port 58,FIG. 3 ) are required, -
FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment for the present invention wherein thewaveguide 34 and thewaveguide 36 are each made of a same, lightly-doped, electrically-conductive material. As shown, thewaveguides voltage source 16. For one alternate embodiment of the present invention, both thewaveguide 34 and thewaveguide 36 are N doped. Accordingly, the means for imposing the switching voltage, Vπ, includes an N+ dopedlayer 62 that is positioned in electrical contact between the N dopedwaveguide 34 and themetal connector 44. Similarly, an N+ dopedlayer 64 is positioned in electrical contact between the N dopedwaveguide 36 and themetal connector 42. Preferably, for this alternate embodiment of the present invention, thecross coupling material 50 is a polymer. -
FIG. 5 shows another alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein thewaveguide 34 is P doped and thewaveguide 36 is N doped. In this case, the means for imposing Vπ includes a P+ dopedlayer 66 positioned in electrical contact between the P dopedwaveguide 34 and themetal connector 44. Also included is an N+ dopedlayer 68 which is positioned in electrical contact between the N dopedwaveguide 36 and themetal connector 42. In this case, thecross-coupling material 50 can be either a PIN planar-diode-structure semiconductor, or a PIN multiple-quantum-well semiconductor. - While the particular Vertical Electro-Optically Coupled Switch as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.
Claims (11)
1. A method for manufacturing an electro-optic coupler switch for switching and modulating an optical signal of wavelength λ, which comprises the steps of:
positioning a thin, flat layer of cross-coupling material between a first conductive waveguide and a second conductive waveguide to create a waveguide stack, wherein the first and second waveguides each has a length L and a width W, and wherein the layer of cross-coupling material has a depth d;
adding a first electrode to the waveguide stack with the first waveguide on one side of the layer of cross-coupling material and adding a second electrode with the second waveguide opposite the cross-coupling material from the first electrode;
orienting the first waveguide, the second waveguide, the layer of cross-coupling material, the first electrode and the second electrode in a colinear alignment; and
connecting a voltage source to the first and second electrodes to selectively establish an electric field E through the cross-coupling material between the first waveguide and the second waveguide, wherein E is uniform and is oriented perpendicular across the layer of cross-coupling material in the waveguide stack, and wherein the voltage source imposes a switching voltage Vπ on the cross-coupling material to change a refractive index of the cross-coupling material to selectively transfer an optical signal λ between the first and second waveguides.
2. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the cross-coupling material is made of a polymer and the first and second waveguides are made of a conducting semiconductor material.
3. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the first waveguide is made of a P doped conductive material, and the second waveguide is made of an N doped conductive material, and the cross-coupling material is made of a multiple-quantum-well semiconductor.
4. The method recited in claim 3 wherein the first electrode is a P+ doped layer positioned in electrical contact between the P doped waveguide and the voltage source, and the second electrode is an N+ doped layer positioned in electrical contact between the N doped waveguide and the voltage source.
5. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the first waveguide and the second waveguide each have an upstream end and a downstream end, and the method further comprises the steps of:
establishing a first input port at the upstream end of the first waveguide, and a first output port at the downstream end of the first waveguide; and
establishing a second output port at the downstream end of the second waveguide, wherein an incoming optical signal λ is received at the first input port and is selectively routed to the second output port by the switching voltage Vπ.
6. The method recited in claim 1 wherein the first waveguide has a refractive index n1 and the second waveguide has a refractive index n2 resembling n1 (n1≈n2).
7. A method for manufacturing an electric-optic coupler switch with electrical components in a colinear alignment which comprises the steps of:
orienting electrical components of the switch in a colinear aligned sequence, wherein the electrical components include,
i) a first electrode,
ii) a first conductive waveguide having a refractive index n1,
iii) a layer of cross-coupling material having a refractive index nc and a depth d,
iv) a second conductive waveguide having a refractive index n2, wherein n1≈n2, and
v) a second electrode: and
connecting a voltage source to the first and second electrodes to selectively establish an electric field E through the cross-coupling material between the first waveguide and the second waveguide, wherein E is uniform and is oriented perpendicular across the layer of cross-coupling material in the waveguide stack and parallel to the alignment of the electrical components, and wherein the voltage source imposes a switching voltage Vπ on the cross-coupling material to change the refractive index nc for selectively transferring an optical signal λ between the first and second waveguides,
8. The method recited in claim 7 wherein the cross-coupling material is made of a polymer and the first and second waveguides are made of a conductive semiconductor material.
9. The method recited in claim 7 wherein the cross-coupling material is a polymer, the first waveguide and the second waveguide are N doped and the first electrode is an N+ doped layer positioned in electrical contact between the first N doped waveguide and the voltage source, and the second electrode is an N+ doped layer positioned in electrical contact between the second N doped waveguide and the voltage source.
10. The method recited in claim 7 wherein the cross-coupling material is a multiple-quantum-well.
11. The method recited in claim 10 wherein the first waveguide is P doped and the second waveguide is N doped and the first electrode is a P+ doped layer positioned in electrical contact between the P doped waveguide and the voltage source, and the second electrode is an N+ doped layer positioned in electrical contact between the N doped waveguide and the voltage source.
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US14/687,726 US9500929B2 (en) | 2015-04-15 | 2015-04-15 | Vertical electro-optically coupled switch |
US15/298,870 US20170038659A1 (en) | 2015-04-15 | 2016-10-20 | Vertical electro-optically coupled switch |
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US20160306257A1 (en) | 2016-10-20 |
US9500929B2 (en) | 2016-11-22 |
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