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Electrically generated optical waveguide in a lithium-niobate thin film.
Optics Express
|October 29, 2020
Summary
Researchers created a switchable optical waveguide in lithium niobate (LN) using an electro-optic effect. This electrically controlled waveguide can be turned on or off, enabling new photonic integrated circuit functionalities.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Optical waveguides are fundamental components in photonic integrated circuits.
- Lithium niobate (LN) is a key material for electro-optic applications due to its strong electro-optic effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the creation of an electrically generated optical waveguide.
- To demonstrate voltage-controlled waveguide formation and disappearance in lithium niobate thin films.
- To explore the potential of these waveguides for reconfigurable photonic circuits.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the electro-optic effect in a z-cut single-crystal lithium niobate (LN) thin film.
- Applied voltage to patterned electrodes to modify the refractive index (RI) and define waveguide geometry.
- Measured propagation loss at a wavelength of 532 nm.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated straight and S-bend optical waveguides with a refractive index contrast of approximately 0.004 at 200 V.
- Demonstrated that the waveguide can be reversibly switched on and off by applying or removing voltage.
- Measured a propagation loss of 1.8 dB/cm for the generated waveguides.
Conclusions:
- Electrically generated optical waveguides in LN are feasible and controllable.
- These waveguides offer potential for wavelength-independent and mode-independent operation.
- The technology could enable reconfigurable optical components like cross-connects and switches in photonic integrated circuits.
