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Film-loaded SAW waveguides for integrated acousto-optical polarization converters
Oscar A Peverini1, Harald Herrmann, Renato Orta
1IEIIT-CNR c/o Politecnico di Torino, Torino, TO, Italy. oscar.peverini@polito.it
IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control
|November 24, 2004
Summary
Researchers investigated film-loaded surface acoustic wave (SAW) waveguides in lithium niobate for acousto-optical polarization converters. Optimized designs using metal/dielectric strip and slot waveguides were developed and experimentally validated.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Waveguide Technology
- Materials Science
- Acousto-Optics
Background:
- Integrated acousto-optical (AO) devices are crucial for optical signal processing.
- Lithium niobate (LiNbO3) is a key material for fabricating efficient optical waveguides.
- Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices offer tunable control over optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically and experimentally investigate film-loaded SAW waveguides in LiNbO3 for AO polarization converters.
- To identify optimal waveguide structures for high-performance acousto-optical polarization conversion.
- To provide design parameters for integrated AO devices.
Main Methods:
- Detailed theoretical analysis using scalar and full-vectorial models.
- Numerical investigation of dispersion characteristics and figures of merit for various waveguide structures.
- Experimental fabrication and characterization of designed acousto-optical polarization converters.
Main Results:
- Identified metal/dielectric/LiNbO3 strip and dielectric/LiNbO3 slot waveguides as highly attractive structures.
- Specified optimal metal (Au, Al) and dielectric (SiO2, MgO, Al2O3) film combinations.
- Successfully realized and characterized AO polarization converters based on the designed SAW waveguides.
Conclusions:
- Film-loaded SAW waveguides in LiNbO3 offer a promising platform for integrated AO polarization converters.
- The developed design parameters enable the optimization of acousto-optical device performance.
- Experimental validation confirms the potential of these structures for practical applications.