Wavelength dividing circuit

Abstract

A wavelength dividing circuit which realizes improved device characteristics and performance, such as a small size, high speed and high transmission efficiency and which lends itself to improved integration degree. A wavelength dividing circuit in which materials of different refractive indices are arrayed periodically, without forming individual waveguides as in conventional AWG, in order to create strong wavelength dispersion characteristics not possible with an ordinary optical crystal to control wavelength deviation. A substrate 1 having atomic mediums 5 buried in a background medium 4 in a two-dimensional triangular array has its both sides sandwiched by a first clad 2 and a second clad 3. Optical signals fall on an incident surface inclined at a certain angle relative to the light incident direction and is radiated from a light outgoing surface 7. The interval between neighboring atomic mediums 5 is designed in meeting with the wavelength of the optical signals, while the thickness of the substrate 1 is designed so that the optical signals are sufficiently confined in the substrate 1 and so that the light proceeding direction is not significantly deviated from the substrate surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.