THREE-DIMENSIONAL WAVEGUIDE TYPE TE-TM MODE CONVERTER

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a three-dimensional waveguide type TE-TM(transverse electric-transverse magnetic) mode converter which is used for an optical communication system and optical information processing system, etc., may be constituted in a small size as a mode converter, without having to utilize these physical effects, is adequate for optical integration in optical integrated circuits, photoelectric integrated circuits, etc., and is provided with high mode conversion efficiency, etc. ;SOLUTION: This converter consists of a liquid crystal polymer 21, which is formed to a three-dimensional waveguide shape, is respectively formed, with conductor layers 23 on the upper and lower surface and has mesogen groups M aligned perpendicularly to the progressing direction of incident light and approximately at an angle of 45° with the conductor layer 23. A length (d) of the three-dimensional waveguide is so set as to attain d×Δn=(2m+1)λ/4 when the difference between the refractive index in the arraying direction of the mesogen groups M and the refractive index in the direction perpendicular to the arraying direction and the progressing direction of the incident light is defined as Δn, the wavelength of the incident light as λ and (m) as an integer of large than or equal 0. The constitution of the converter to a small size without utilizing the physical effects such as those of the conventional converters is made possible. In furthermore, the converter has a high mode conversion efficiency.;COPYRIGHT: (C)1999,JPO