Ultrafast guided-light beam deflection/switching and modulation using simulated electro-optic prism structures in LiNbO3 waveguides

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Abstract
Theoretical and experimental results on new guided‐wave electro‐optic devices for ultrafast optical deflection, switching, and modulation are presented. The devices utilize simple electrode arrangements consisting of a small number of tilted electrodes which effectively simulate prism structures in electro‐optic waveguides. Devices using single‐mode Y‐cut LiNbO3 outdiffused waveguides have demonstrated excellent performance figures: nine beam positions (channels) per unit at a driving voltage of 8 V per beam position, −0.5 dB optical insertion loss and cross talks between adjacent channels varying from −13.5 to −9 dB. The new devices are shown to be capable of performing optical multiport beam deflection/switching and modulation at very low driving voltages and at ultrafast speeds because of their very small capacitances, and are, therefore, highly useful for future wide‐band fiber and integrated optic systems.