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Diffraction efficiency of waveguide gratings: Brewster's law
1McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company, St. Louis, Missouri 63166, USA.
Optics Letters
|August 21, 2009
Summary
This study solves coupled-mode equations for waveguide diffraction gratings, finding a null in TE0-TE0 reflectivity at a specific angle, similar to Brewster's law for light reflection.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Waveguide Theory
- Diffraction Gratings
Background:
- Waveguide diffraction gratings are crucial components in integrated optics.
- Understanding wave behavior at these structures is essential for device design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To solve coupled-mode equations for a TE0 guided wave incident on a waveguide diffraction grating.
- To analyze the angular dependence of TE0-TE0 reflectivity.
Main Methods:
- Solving coupled-mode equations for obliquely incident TE0 guided waves.
- Approximating the coupling coefficient by its spatial average over a grating period.
Main Results:
- The angular dependence of TE0-TE0 reflectivity was determined.
- A null in reflectivity was observed at a specific angle of incidence.
Conclusions:
- The observed null in reflectivity follows a relation similar to Brewster's law.
- This finding has implications for controlling light reflection in waveguide gratings.
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