Combination splitting device composed of strip waveguides and uses thereof

A method of using a wideband junction splitter comprising the steps of:

• using a junction splitter having channel waveguides for the spatial combination or splitting or switching or deflection or modulation of light, for applications within the wavelength range of visible light, having at least three channel waveguides, having:
• at least one single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW) where in or on a surface-type substrate material, by a process for changing the refractive index, a channel-shaped structure is fabricated or a channel-shaped structure made from a suitable material is applied, with the geometric/substance parameters of the channel waveguide thus created being set in dependence of the wavelength ranges to be transmitted in the UV, visible, and/or IR regions, so that in relation to the wavelength (.lambda.) a minimum width of the wavelength range for single-mode light guidance is given by the equation
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.w =0.48.times..lambda.-85 nm
• where the parameters substrate refractive index (n.sub.1,), superstrate refractive index ((n.sub.3,), refractive index of the refractive index distribution (f(x,y)) on the surface ((n.sub.2,)), refractive index distribution in the waveguiding region, cross-sectional shape (width a and depth t) of the channel waveguide and its location in and/or on the substrate are dimensioned such that single-mode operation of the channel waveguide in the wavelength range
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.w >0.48.times..lambda.-85 nm
• is ensured, so that to each given wavelength (.lambda.) in the range between .lambda..sub.a and .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w one and only one effective refractive index, can be allocated, and the single-mode range will be determined by efficient oscillation build-up of fundamental mode N.sub.oo at wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w on the one hand, and by efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense of the first mode in lateral direction (N.sub.01) or of the first mode in depth direction (N.sub.10) at wavelength .lambda..sub.a on the other hand, and with transmission at a technically sufficient degree of effectiveness signifying that the effective refractive index N.sub.eff of the mode guided in the channel waveguide must be at least 5.times.10.sup.-5 above the refractive index of the surrounding material n.sub.s, where n.sub.s where n.sub.s designates the value of substrate index n.sub.1 or superstrate index n.sub.3, whichever is the greater, and with the minimum possible value of the usable wavelength (.lambda..sub.min) and the maximum possible value of the usable wavelength (.lambda..sub.max) being determined by the transmission range of the materials used, and thus the channel waveguide being defined as a single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW), and wherein there is provided
• a combination and connection of the minimum of three channel waveguides, in which the geometric/substance parameters of the channel waveguides themselves as well as the media surrounding the channel waveguides which are set in dependence of the wavelength range to be transmitted in the UV, visible, and/or IR regions, so that in relation to the wavelength (.lambda.) the minimum width of the wavelength range for efficient junction splitter operation is given by the equation
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.v >0.27.times..lambda.-34 nm
• where the parameters substrate refractive index (n.sub.1), superstrate refractive index (n.sub.3), refractive index of the refractive index distribution (f(x,y)) on the surface (n.sub.2), refractive index distribution in the waveguiding region, geometry of the junction splitter, and its location in and/or on the substrate are dimensioned such that efficient operation of the junction splitter is at least ensured in the wavelength range
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.v >0.27.times..lambda.-34 nm
• with the usable wavelength range .DELTA..lambda..sub.N for the efficient operation of the junction splitter, in a technical sense is determined by the lesser value of one of
• the difference between wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the fundamental mode (N.sub.oo) in the channel waveguide and wavelength .lambda..sub.a of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the first mode in lateral direction (N.sub.o1) or of the first mode in depth direction (N.sub.10) in the channel waveguide, and
• the difference between wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the fundamental mode (N.sub.oo) in the channel waveguide and wavelength .lambda..sub.b of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the second mode in lateral direction in the coupling area, widened in relation to the channel waveguide, of the junction splitter (N.sub.02), that is by ##EQU3## and so that the junction splitter of at least three channel waveguides, having at least one SOWCW, is defined as an integrated-optical wideband junction splitter
• by spatially combining light of at least two differing wavelengths or wavelength ranges for generating fast-changing spectral compositions of light, for color mixing, in a usable spectrum range greater than 75 nm, wherein a minimum of two light components are injected, respectively, into one channel waveguide each, and decoupled from a common SOWCW as spatially combined light.

A method of using a wideband junction splitter comprising the steps of:

• using a junction splitter having channel waveguides for the spatial combination or splitting or switching or deflection or modulation of light, for applications within the wavelength range of visible light, having at least three channel waveguides, having:
• at least one single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW) where in or on a surface-type substrate material, by a process for changing the refractive index, a channel-shaped structure is fabricated or a channel-shaped structure made from a suitable material is applied, with the geometric/substance parameters of the channel waveguide thus created being set in dependence of the wavelength ranges to be transmitted in the UV, visible, and/or IR regions, so that in relation to the wavelength (.lambda.) a minimum width of the wavelength range for single-mode light guidance is given by the equation
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.w =0.48.times..lambda.-85 nm
• where the parameters substrate refractive index (n.sub.1,), superstrate refractive index ((n.sub.3,), refractive index of the refractive index distribution (f(x,y)) on the surface ((n.sub.2,)), refractive index distribution in the waveguiding region, cross-sectional shape (width a and depth t) of the channel waveguide and its location in and/or on the substrate are dimensioned such that single-mode operation of the channel waveguide in the wavelength range
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.w >0.48.times..lambda.-85 nm
• is ensured, so that to each given wavelength (.lambda.) in the range between .lambda..sub.a and .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w one and only one effective refractive index, can be allocated, and the single-mode range will be determined by efficient oscillation build-up of fundamental mode N.sub.oo at wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w on the one hand, and by efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense of the first mode in lateral direction (N.sub.01) or of the first mode in depth direction (N.sub.10) at wavelength .lambda..sub.a on the other hand, and with transmission at a technically sufficient degree of effectiveness signifying that the effective refractive index N.sub.eff of the mode guided in the channel waveguide must be at least 5.times.10.sup.-5 above the refractive index of the surrounding material n.sub.s, where n.sub.s where n.sub.s designates the value of substrate index n.sub.1 or superstrate index n.sub.3, whichever is the greater, and with the minimum possible value of the usable wavelength (.lambda..sub.min) and the maximum possible value of the usable wavelength (.lambda..sub.max) being determined by the transmission range of the materials used, and thus the channel waveguide being defined as a single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW), and wherein there is provided
• a combination and connection of the minimum of three channel waveguides, in which the geometric/substance parameters of the channel waveguides themselves as well as the media surrounding the channel waveguides which are set in dependence of the wavelength range to be transmitted in the UV, visible, and/or IR regions, so that in relation to the wavelength (.lambda.) the minimum width of the wavelength range for efficient junction splitter operation is given by the equation
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.v >0.27.times..lambda.-34 nm
• where the parameters substrate refractive index (n.sub.1), superstrate refractive index (n.sub.3), refractive index of the refractive index distribution (f(x,y)) on the surface (n.sub.2), refractive index distribution in the waveguiding region, geometry of the junction splitter, and its location in and/or on the substrate are dimensioned such that efficient operation of the junction splitter is at least ensured in the wavelength range
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.v >0.27.times..lambda.-34 nm
• with the usable wavelength range .DELTA..lambda..sub.N for the efficient operation of the junction splitter, in a technical sense is determined by the lesser value of one of
• the difference between wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the fundamental mode (N.sub.oo) in the channel waveguide and wavelength .lambda..sub.a of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the first mode in lateral direction (N.sub.o1) or of the first mode in depth direction (N.sub.10) in the channel waveguide, and
• the difference between wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the fundamental mode (N.sub.oo) in the channel waveguide and wavelength .lambda..sub.b of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the second mode in lateral direction in the coupling area, widened in relation to the channel waveguide, of the junction splitter (N.sub.02), that is by ##EQU4## and so that the junction splitter of at least three channel waveguides, having at least one SOWCW, is defined as an integrated-optical wideband junction splitter
• by splitting light into at least two light components in a usable spectrum range greater than 75 nm, in which a minimum of one light component is injected into an SOWCW, and in which light components from at least two channel waveguides, which have the same spectral composition and phasing as the injected light, are decoupled.

A method of using a wideband junction splitter as a wavelength-selective or wavelength-independent wideband switch or wideband modulator for the amplitude or intensity of light of at least one wavelength or one wavelength range for generating fast changing light intensities and/or spectral light compositions in a usable spectrum range greater than 75 nm, comprising the steps of:

• using a junction splitter having channel waveguides for the spatial combination or splitting or switching or deflection or modulation of light, for applications within the wavelength range of visible light, having at least three channel waveguides, having:
• at least one single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW) where in or on a surface-type substrate material, by a process for changing the refractive index, a channel-shaped structure is fabricated or a channel-shaped structure made from a suitable material is applied, with the geometric/substance parameters of the channel waveguide thus created being set in dependence of the wavelength ranges to be transmitted in the UV, visible, and/or IR regions, so that in relation to the wavelength (.lambda.) a minimum width of the wavelength range for single-mode light guidance is given by the equation
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.w =0.48.times..lambda.-85 nm
• where the parameters substrate refractive index (n.sub.1,), superstrate refractive index ((n.sub.3,), refractive index of the refractive index distribution (f(x,y)) on the surface ((n.sub.2,)), refractive index distribution in the waveguiding region, cross-sectional shape (width a and depth t) of the channel waveguide and its location in and/or on the substrate are dimensioned such that single-mode operation of the channel waveguide in the wavelength range
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.w >0.48.times..lambda.-85 nm
• is ensured, so that to each given wavelength (.lambda.) in the range between .lambda..sub.a and .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w one and only one effective refractive index, can be allocated, and the single-mode range will be determined by efficient oscillation build-up of fundamental mode N.sub.oo at wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w on the one hand, and by efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense of the first mode in lateral direction (N.sub.01) or of the first mode in depth direction (N.sub.10) at wavelength .lambda..sub.a on the other hand, and with transmission at a technically sufficient degree of effectiveness signifying that the effective refractive index N.sub.eff of the mode guided in the channel waveguide must be at least 5.times.10.sup.-5 above the refractive index of the surrounding material n.sub.s, where n.sub.s where n.sub.s designates the value of substrate index n.sub.1 or superstrate index n.sub.3, whichever is the greater, and with the minimum possible value of the usable wavelength (.lambda..sub.min) and the maximum possible value of the usable wavelength (.lambda..sub.max) being determined by the transmission range of the materials used, and thus the channel waveguide being defined as a single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW), and wherein there is provided
• a combination and connection of the minimum of three channel waveguides, in which the geometric/substance parameters of the channel waveguides themselves as well as the media surrounding the channel waveguides which are set in dependence of the wavelength range to be transmitted in the UV, visible, and/or IR regions, so that in relation to the wavelength (.lambda.) the minimum width of the wavelength range for efficient junction splitter operation is given by the equation
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.v >0.27.times..lambda.-34 nm
• where the parameters substrate refractive index (n.sub.1), superstrate refractive index (n.sub.3), refractive index of the refractive index distribution (f(x,y)) on the surface (n.sub.2), refractive index distribution in the waveguiding region, geometry of the junction splitter, and its location in and/or on the substrate are dimensioned such that efficient operation of the junction splitter is at least ensured in the wavelength range
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.v >0.27.times..lambda.-34 nm
• with the usable wavelength range .DELTA..lambda..sub.N for the efficient operation of the junction splitter, in a technical sense is determined by the lesser value of one of
• the difference between wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the fundamental mode (N.sub.oo) in the channel waveguide and wavelength .lambda..sub.a of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the first mode in lateral direction (N.sub.o1) or of the first mode in depth direction (N.sub.10) in the channel waveguide, and
• the difference between wavelength .lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the fundamental mode (N.sub.oo) in the channel waveguide and wavelength .lambda..sub.b of the efficient oscillation build-up, in a technical sense, of the second mode in lateral direction in the coupling area, widened in relation to the channel waveguide, of the junction splitter (N.sub.02), that is by ##EQU5## and so that the junction splitter of at least three channel waveguides, having at least one SOWCW, is defined as an integrated-optical wideband junction splitter
• by injecting light into at least one channel waveguide and decoupling at a common SOWCW as spatially combined modulated light.

A junction splitter having channel waveguides for the spatial combination or splitting or switching or deflection of modulation of light for applications within the wavelength range of visible light, comprising at least three channel waveguides, comprising:

• at least one single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW) where in or on a surface-type substrate material having a channel-shaped structure, said structure providing effective refractive indices N.sub.eff dependent on wavelength and on different transmission modes of said waveguide and the channel shaped structure providing single mode transmission for each wavelength in a wavelength range of
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.w >0.48.times..lambda.-85 nm
• and defining .lambda..sub.a= .lambda. for a given channel waveguide wherein .lambda..sub.a and .DELTA..lambda..sub.w are defined by
• N.sub.eff (.lambda..sub.a +.DELTA..lambda..sub.w)=5.times.10.sup.-5 +n.sub. s
• for the fundamental mode (N.sub.oo) and
• N.sub.eff (.lambda..sub.a(01))=5.times.10.sup.-5 +n.sub.s
• for the first mode in lateral direction (N.sub.01) and
• N.sub.eff (.lambda..sub.a(10))=5.times.10.sup.-5 +n.sub.s
• for the first mode in depth direction (N.sub.10) where n.sub.s is the highest value of the refractive indices of the materials surrounding the waveguide and
• .lambda..sub.a =.lambda..sub.a(01) if .lambda..sub.a(01) .gtoreq..lambda..sub.a(10)
• or
• .lambda..sub.a =.lambda..sub.a(10) if .lambda..sub.a(01) <.lambda..sub.a(10 )
• wherein .lambda..sub.a(01) is the wavelength of the efficient oscillation build-up of the first mode in lateral direction (N.sub.01) and .lambda..sub.a(10) is the wavelength of the efficient oscillation build-up of the first mode in depth direction (N.sub.10) and thus the channel waveguide being defined as a single-mode integrated-optical wideband channel waveguide (SOWCW), and wherein there is provided:
• a combination and connection of the minimum of three channel waveguides, providing efficient junction splitter operation in a wavelength range of
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.v >0.27.times..lambda.-34 nm
• and defining .lambda..sub.b =.lambda. for a given junction splitter wherein .lambda..sub.b is defined by
• N.sub.eff (.lambda..sub.b)=5.times.10.sup.-5 +n.sub.s
• for the second mode in lateral direction (N.sub.02) in the coupling area, widened in relation to the channel waveguide, where n.sub.s is the highest value of the refractive indices of the materials surrounding the waveguide wherein .lambda..sub.b is the wavelength of the efficient oscillation build-up of the second mode in lateral direction (N.sub.02) and .DELTA..lambda..sub.v is defined by
• .DELTA..lambda..sub.v =.lambda..sub.a .DELTA..lambda..sub.w -.lambda..sub.b
• where the usable wavelength range .DELTA..lambda..sub.n for the efficient operation of the junction splitter is determined by the lesser value of .DELTA..lambda..sub.w or .DELTA..lambda..sub.v.