Abstract

In earlier work we demonstrated the use of hollow waveguides to guide light between the individual components of an optical circuit integrated into a common substrate [1]. The approach leads to compact rugged systems with excellent optical performance. As illustrated in Fig. 1a, we propose the application of the concept to a Michelson interferometer. Here hollow waveguides are used to guide the input radiation to an integrated 45° beam splitter/combiner, then to the arm mirrors of the interferometer and ultimately to an external detector. In practice the hollow waveguides are formed as square-section channels in the substrate in conjunction with a lid.

© 2013 IEEE