Modal control in semiconductor optical waveguides with uniaxially patterned layers

TL;DR

This paper explores how uniaxially patterned dielectric layers influence polarization control in semiconductor optical waveguides, enabling devices like polarization-insensitive amplifiers and optical switches.

Contribution

It introduces the use of uniaxially patterned layers in waveguides to achieve tunable polarization properties and device functionalities.

Findings

Patterned layers induce controllable optical anisotropy.

Designs for polarization-insensitive amplifiers and switches are proposed.

The approach enables external control of polarization states.

Abstract

Uniaxially patterned dielectric layers have an optical anisotropy that can be externally controlled. We study the effects of patterning the cladding or the core layer of a 3-layer optical waveguide on the polarization properties of propagating radiation. Particular attention is paid to the case when the core material is a semiconductor with optical gain. We discuss a number of devices based on incorporating an uniaxially patterned layer in the structure design, such as a polarization-insensitive amplifier, a polarizer, an optically-controlled polarization switch, and an optically controlled modal coupler.