Investigations on Periodically Perturbed Optical Waveguides

摘要

The development of optical sensors based on periodically perturbed waveguides is discussed. Work was carried out on planar integrated optical structures in which such perturbations were realized by means of the linear electro-optic effect in thin zinc oxide films. The working of two types of electro-optical modulators, namely a planar Bragg deflector and a mode coupler in a multilayer waveguide is described. Optimization of the ZnO sputtering deposition method is summarized. Despite the crystalline character of the layers a low optical attenuation on the order of 2 dB/cm, is obtained. The optical properties agree very well with those of single crystal bulk material. The influence of periodic distortions in a graded-index optical fiber (microbending) is assessed.