Non-linear optical coupler

Integrated optics non-linear optical coupler, comprising:

• a first and a second waveguide (2, 3), of which the first defines an input port (4) and a first output port (5) of the device (1) and the second defines a second output port (6) of the device (1);
• a grating (10) to couple contradirectionally the first and the second waveguides (2, 3) and to transfer an optical information signal to the first or to the second output (5, 6), by transmission or by reflection respectively;
• means (7) to inject into the first waveguide the optical information signal and a possible control signal able to bring the grating from a reflection condition to a transmission condition for a predetermined wavelength or vice versa;
• and means (8, 9) to extract the information signal from said outputs;
• characterised in that the control signal is an optical signal, and in that the second waveguide (3) is a U-shaped waveguide presenting a first and a second main section (3A, 3C) parallel to the first waveguide (2) and an intermediate section (3B) perpendicular to the other two sections and joined thereto by means of micro-mirrors (11, 12), the first main section (3A) being coupled to the first waveguide (2) through the grating (10) and the second main section (3B) defining said second output (6), positioned on the same side of the device where the first output (5) is located.