In this Letter we propose a scheme providing control over an optical waveguide mode by a terahertz (THz) wave. The scheme is based on an optimization of the overlap between the optical waveguide mode and the THz field, with the THz field strength enhanced by the presence of a metallic nanoslit surrounding the waveguide. We find an optimum balance between the optical mode attenuation and Kerr-induced change in the propagation constant. The criterion for a π/2-cumulative phase shift, for instance for application in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration, requires 10 kV/cm THz field, which in turn is estimated to result in a nonlinear change of the refractive index in the waveguide of 0.001. Our simulations prove that it is quite reasonable to observe the effect experimentally.
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机译：在这封信中，我们提出了一种通过太赫兹（THz）波对光波导模式进行控制的方案。该方案基于光波导模式与THz场之间的重叠的优化，并且由于在波导周围存在金属纳米缝而提高了THz场强度。我们在光学模式衰减和Kerr引起的传播常数变化之间找到了最佳平衡。 π/ 2累积相移的标准（例如，用于Mach–Zehnder干涉仪配置中）要求10？kV / cm THz场，据估计，这会导致波导中折射率的非线性变化0.001。我们的仿真证明，通过实验观察效果是相当合理的。
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