Optical waveguide polariser with synchronous absorption

It is shown that a high TM-mode attenuation may be obtained in a buffered metal-clad optical waveguide with large buffer thickness. This is due to synchronous coupling to a highly lossy interface mode. The geometry offers significant advantages as a polarising structure. A TM/TE attenuation ratio of greater than 100 and a TE attenuation of < 1 dB/cm were measured.