New Optical Waveguide Devices Using Periodic and Chirped Surface Corrugations and Optical Waves in Periodic Layered Structures

Citation

Hong, Chi-Shain (1979) New Optical Waveguide Devices Using Periodic and Chirped Surface Corrugations and Optical Waves in Periodic Layered Structures. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/77TB-4N62. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09242019-103435948

Abstract

The first part of this work describes theoretical and experimental studies of some corrugated waveguide devices for use in optical communications and integrated optics. These devices include wavelength demultiplexers and broad-band optical filters using chirped corrugations, and optical scanners using the electrooptic effect in the corrugations.

The theory of corrugated waveguides is well described by the coupled mode formalism. The problem is also treated phenomenologically by picturing the incident waveguide mode as a zig-zag ray which is diffracted by the grating surface at every bounce. Principles of the devices are given, and the parameters which characterize the devices are derived.

Experimental results on fabrication and evaluation of the devices are presented and compared with the design theory. Various techniques which have been developed during the course of this investigation are described in some detail.

The second part of this work describes the propagation of electromagnetic waves in periodic layered structures.

A diagonalization of the unit cell translation operator of a periodic medium is used to obtain exact solutions for the Bloch waves, the dispersion relations, and the band structure of the medium. The general formalism is then applied to deal with such problems as Bragg reflectors, periodic multichannel waveguides, and electromagnetic surface waves.

Thesis Files