Abstract

We propose an adiabatic all-optical switch that is composed of an asymmetric Y-branch ion-exchanged glass waveguide with a strip of nonlinear polymer loaded on top of one branch. The properties of nonlinear wave propagation in the device are investigated in detail. By extending the effective-index method to the analysis of nonlinear waveguides, we calculate the nonlinear dispersion curves in successive sections to explain the evolution of normal modes in the device. As the multivalued propagation constants exist in the tapered directional coupler region, the device possesses an abrupt switching behavior and nonreciprocal properties. To demonstrate nonlinear switching behaviors in the Y-branch waveguide further, we employ a beam propagation method to simulate optical-field propagation. The inputs by three different ports are investigated, and the results agree well with the dispersion-curve analysis.

© 1994 Optical Society of America

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