Frequency conversion with nonlinear optical polymers and high index contrast waveguides
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsMichael Hochberg, Tom Baehr-Jones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for manipulating light with high index contrast waveguides clad with substances having that exhibit large nonlinear electro-optic constants χ2 and χ3. Waveguides fabricated on SOI wafers and clad with electro-optic polymers are described. Embodiments of waveguides having slots, electrical contacts, and input waveguide couplers are discussed. Waveguides having closed loop structures (such as rings and ovals) as well as linear or serpentine waveguides, are described. Optical signal processing methods, such as optical rectification and optical modulation, are disclosed.
Claims45
An apparatus for manipulating light, comprising:
- a substrate having an insulating surface;
- a high index contrast waveguide adjacent said insulating surface;
- and
- a cladding adjacent said high index contrast waveguide, said cladding comprising a material that exhibits an enhanced nonlinear optical coefficient,
- said high index contrast waveguide and said cladding configured so that an electric field intensity of at least 105 V/m is generated in a selected one of said high index contrast waveguide and said cladding in response to an optical input of not more than 1 milliwatt of continuous wave light into said high index contrast waveguide.
A method of optically processing light, comprising the steps of:
- providing a structure comprising:
- a substrate having an insulating surface, a high index contrast waveguide adjacent said insulating surface, and a cladding adjacent said high index contrast waveguide, said cladding comprising a material that exhibits an enhanced nonlinear optical coefficient, said high index contrast waveguide and said cladding configured so that an electric field intensity of at least 105 V/m is generated in a selected one of said high index contrast waveguide and said cladding in response to an optical input of not more than 1 milliwatt of continuous wave light into said high index contrast waveguide;
- impressing onto said structure as an input a light wave to be processed, said input light wave having at least one parameter characterizing said input light wave;
- and
- observing an output signal, said output signal having at least one parameter that is different from said at least one parameter characterizing said input light wave.
An apparatus for converting an electrical input signal to an optical output signal, comprising:
- a substrate having an insulating surface;
- a high index contrast waveguide adjacent said insulating surface, said high index contrast waveguide having input electrodes in electrical communication therewith;
- and
- a cladding adjacent said high index contrast waveguide, said cladding comprising a material that exhibits an enhanced nonlinear optical coefficient,
- said high index contrast waveguide and said cladding configured so that a phase shift of substantially p radians in an optical output signal is generated when a millivolt-scale electrical input signal is applied to said input electrodes of said apparatus.
A method of converting an electrical input signal to an optical output signal, comprising the steps of:
- providing a structure comprising:
- a substrate having an insulating surface, a high index contrast waveguide adjacent said insulating surface, said high index contrast waveguide having input electrodes in electrical communication therewith, and a cladding adjacent said high index contrast waveguide, said cladding comprising a material that exhibits an enhanced nonlinear optical coefficient, said high index contrast waveguide and said cladding configured so that a phase shift of substantially p radians in an optical output signal is generated when a millivolt-scale electrical input signal is applied to said input electrodes of said apparatus;
- impressing onto said structure an input light wave as a carrier to be processed, said input light wave having at least one parameter characterizing said input light wave;
- applying to said input electrodes of said structure an electrical input signal to be converted to an optical output signal;
- and
- observing an optical output signal, said output signal having at least one parameter that is different from said at least one parameter characterizing said input light wave.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.