Adaptive waveguide interconnects and waveguide arrays using photorefractive screening solitons

Summary form only given. We report on the realization of a 2-to-1 waveguide coupler using incoherent (2D+1) solitons in photorefractive (PR) bulk media. The solitons are created on focusing two low power laser beams at 532 nm on the front plane of a electrically biased Ce-doped SBN crystal. Adjusting correctly their initial separation in the plane of the electric field the developing solitons fuse on their path through the crystal bulk. Two laser beams with moderate power are used as probe beams and guided by either one of the solitons. We investigate the quality of waveguiding for different interaction scenarios in dependence on external control parameters. Furthermore, we present the propagation of a complete array of PR solitons inside a built PR medium. A 4/spl times/4-spot array is imaged on the front face of the PR crystal. When biasing the crystal with the electric field every spot initiates the formation of a single soliton. Balancing the effects of attraction and repulsion, a stable undisturbed propagation of a complete array of solitons can be achieved. In terms of application an adaptive multichannel waveguide interconnect can be realized.