Semileaky thin-film optical isolator

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.329186· OSTI ID:6452068

Kirsch, S T; Biolsi, W A; Blank, S L; Tien, P K; Martin, R J; Bridenbaugh, P M; Grabbe, P

Two interesting effects have been experimentally demonstrated for the first time: (1) simultaneous reciprocal and nonreciprocal mode conversion to achieve an isolation effect and (2) magneto-optic switching between guided and radiation modes. These effects were observed in connection with the construction of a previously proposed thin-film optical isolator. The isolator consists of a piece of LiNbO/sub 3/ placed on top of a thin film of yttrium ion garnet (YIG) with a selenium layer to avoid optical contact problems. The isolator, which is 1 cm long, exhibited 10 dB of isolation at lambda = 1.15 ..mu..m. The observed isolation was better than theoretical predictions and a mysterious isolation direction dependence on mode order was observed. Although the device had 10 dB of insertion loss and required a magnetic field of 40 Oe, with a slight change in wavelength and film composition, it should be possible to reduce the insertion loss and field required to under 1 dB and 0.1 Oe, respectively. These characteristics combined with broad tolerances on film thickness and the length of the isolation region, broadband operation (from lambda = 1.1 to 4.5 ..mu..m), and easy construction and adjustment make the isolator very attractive for use in integrated optics.

• Research Organization: ROLM Corporation, 4900 Old Ironsides Drive, Santa Clara, California 95050
• OSTI ID: 6452068
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 52:5; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440300* -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DATA
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FERRITE GARNETS
FILMS
INFORMATION
LAYERS
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINERALS
NIOBATES
NIOBIUM COMPOUNDS
NUMERICAL DATA
OPTICAL EQUIPMENT
OSCILLATION MODES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITY RATIO
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
WAVEGUIDES
WAVELENGTHS
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS