Abstract

Diffraction-coupled arrays represent one path toward achieving fundamental supermode operation.¹ In this geometry (Fig. 1), the array channels are optically isolated for some length L and then allowed to couple by diffraction in a common end region of length D. Thus the coupling is discrete rather than distributed, and by suitable choice of D the coupling constant can be tailored to favor the fundamental supermode.^1,2

© 1988 Optical Society of America