Abstract

As has been recently recognized,^(1-4) the polarization properties of integrated optical switches/modulators are of paramount importance in determining the usefulness of these devices in single mode fiber optic data transfer systems. In particular, these switches/modulators must perform efficient, complete switching of light regardless of state of incident polarization. These requirements result from the fact that linearly polarized light coupled into single mode, circular fibers suffers a rapid conversion to other polarization states, with the light emerging being generally elliptically polarized. Therefore any new switch design must be capable of polarization independent operation in order for it to be considered useable. In this paper, we report on the principals of polarization independent operation and describe the fabrication of the first polarization independent switch.

© 1978 Optical Society of America