Active photonic crystal waveguide device
AssigneeCorning Incorporated
InventorsJean-Charles J. C. Cotteverte, Bernard A. Eid, Christophe F. P. Renvaze
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Abstract
Active photonic crystal devices for controlling an optical signal is disclosed. The devices include a planar photonic crystal with a defect waveguide. In one embodiment of the invention, the propagation of the optical signal is controlled by changing a dimension of the planar photonic crystal structure. In another embodiment, the propagation of the optical signal is controlled by inserting rods into the columnar holes of the planar photonic crystal structure. In a third embodiment of the invention, the propagation of the optical signal is controlled by filling the holes of the planar photonic crystal structure with fluid.
Claims24
An optical device for controlling propagation of an optical signal, the optical signal including light of one or more wavelengths, the optical device comprising:
- a planar photonic crystal structure having a structural symmetry, the planar photonic crystal structure including columnar holes arranged in an array having a pitch;
- a defect waveguide formed in the planar photonic crystal structure, the defect waveguide including a first waveguide segment and a second waveguide segment;
- and
- a dimensional actuating device coupled to the planar photonic crystal structure, wherein the optical signal propagates in the defect waveguide, and actuation of the
- dimensional actuating device changes a dimension of the planar photonic crystal structure, such that the distribution of the optical signal between the first waveguide segment and the second waveguide segment is modified.
An optical device for controlling propagation of an optical signal, the optical signal including light of one or more wavelengths, the optical device comprising:
- a planar photonic crystal structure having a structural symmetry, the planar photonic crystal structure including columnar holes arranged in an array having a pitch;
- a defect waveguide formed in the planar photonic crystal structure, the defect waveguide including
- an input waveguide segment with an input end and a splitter end,
- a first arm waveguide segment with a splitter end and a combiner end, the splitter end being coupled to the splitter end of the input waveguide segment,
- a second arm waveguide segment with a splitter end and a combiner end, the splitter end being coupled to the splitter end of the input waveguide and the splitter end of the first arm waveguide segment, the combiner end being coupled to the combiner end of the first arm waveguide segment, and
- an output waveguide with a combiner end and an output end, the combiner end being coupled to the combiner end of the first waveguide segment and the combiner end of the second waveguide segment,
- wherein the optical signal enters the defect waveguide at the input end of the input waveguide segment;
- and actuation of the dimensional actuating device changes the intensity of the optical signal propagating through the output waveguide segment.
An optical device for use with an optical signal, the optical signal including light of one or more wavelengths, the optical device comprising:
- a planar photonic crystal structure, the planar photonic crystal structure including a bulk material with columnar holes formed therethrough, the columnar holes being substantially parallel, the columnar holes having a columnar axis;
- a set of columnar rods, each rod being registered to one of the columnar holes of the planar photonic crystal structure;
- and
- an actuator, the actuator being coupled to the set of columnar rods,
- wherein actuation of the actuator moves the set of columnar rods along the columnar axis within the columnar holes of the planar photonic crystal structure.
An optical device for use with an optical signal, the optical signal comprising light of one or more wavelengths, the optical device comprising:
- a planar photonic crystal structure, the planar photonic crystal structure including a bulk material with columnar holes formed therethrough, the columnar holes being substantially parallel, the columnar holes having a columnar axis;
- a cavity in fluid communication with a set of the columnar holes of the planar photonic crystal structure;
- and
- a microfluidic pump in fluid communication with the cavity,
- wherein actuation of the microfluidic pump moves a fluid within the cavity and the columnar holes, thereby changing the propagation of the optical signal in the planar photonic crystal structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.