Integrated optical waveguide bend
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorTerence P. Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated optic device comprises a strip-like waveguide having a Z-bend to provide a lateral offset. Weak lateral guiding in the waveguide is provided by giving the waveguide a higher effective refractive index than that of the remaining material in that layer. In accordance with the invention, an edge guide region is formed in the same layer just outside each bend, and has an even greater effective refractive index. The edge guide regions minimize power loss at the bends.
Claims18
An integrated optic device comprising an integrated optic waveguide of a first effective refractive index greater than that of a material or materials in which it is embedded to provide for the guiding of light along the waveguide, the waveguide having a bend in a principal plane, and an edge guide region of a second effective refractive index also greater than that of the surrounding material or materials positioned in the principal plane adjacent to the outside of the bend such as to decrease the light loss from the waveguide which would otherwise occur at the bend without the edge guide region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.