Slotted multimode-interference devices.
We describe a novel modification of multimode-interference devices that has broad applicability. The modification involves introducing a slot (or slots), of a specific width and effective refractive index and at a specific position, that runs the longitudinal length of the multimode-interference region. Introducing N slots reduces the self-image length by a factor of N + 1. Varying the effective refractive index or width of the slot(s) creates a switch. The slot modification can be accomplished in a variety of ways, actually increases bandwidth, and has good error tolerances.
Mackie
David M
DM
US Army Research Laboratory, AMSRL-SE-EM, Adelphi, Maryland 20783, USA. dmackie@arl.army.mil
Lee
Andrew W
AW