Title :
Polarization independent, integrated optical, acoustically tunable wavelength filters/switches with tapered acoustical directional coupler
Author :
Herrmann, H. ; Schäfer, K. ; Sohler, W.
Author_Institution :
Angewandte Phys., Paderborn Univ., Germany
Abstract :
Enhanced sidelobe suppression of the filter characteristics of tunable acousto-optical mode converters in LiNbO/sub 3/ has been achieved using for the first time tapered acoustical directional couplers. A sidelobe suppression of more than 15.5 dB could be demonstrated in a single stage device. By combining the mode converter with two integrated optical polarization splitters a polarization independent filter/wavelength selective switch has been fabricated with less than 3 dB intrinsic insertion loss, a polarization dependence of less than 1 dB, and a sidelobe suppression exceeding 14 dB.<>
Keywords :
acousto-optical filters; acousto-optical switches; integrated optics; light polarisation; lithium compounds; optical directional couplers; optical losses; 3 dB; LiNbO/sub 3/; acoustically tunable wavelength filters; acoustically tunable wavelength switches; enhanced sidelobe suppression; integrated optical; integrated optical polarization splitters; intrinsic insertion loss; mode converter; polarization dependence; polarization independent; polarization independent filter; sidelobe suppression; tapered acoustical directional coupler; tapered acoustical directional couplers; tunable acousto-optical mode converters; wavelength selective switch; Acoustic waveguides; Directional couplers; Integrated optics; Optical filters; Optical polarization; Optical switches; Optical waveguides; Surface acoustic waves; Tunable circuits and devices; Wavelength division multiplexing;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
