Abstract

Nonlinear optical waveguide devices, based on χ⁽³⁾-effects, have attracted considerable interest in recent years due to the potential for ultrafast signal processing, (in principle limited only by the nonlinearity response time), coupled with the power advantages of the waveguide mode of operation (large intensities with moderate powers over extended interaction distances )¹. However, few experimental demonstrations^2,3 have been performed so far, primarily because the small non linearities make the experiments impractical. The small nonlinearities necessitate device simulation for optimination and assessment of performance limitations. Analytical solutions exist for single waveguides with special index profiles, whereas analysis of more complex structures have relied on approximate descriptions, such as perturbation methods for nonlinear coherent couplers (directional couplers) and nonlinear fibers, see eg refs 4,5.

© 1988 Optical Society of America