Improved Injection Laser Waveguide Coupler.
Abstract
The present program goal was to enhance the waveguide coupler design to provide a device which can be aligned with a standard micromanipulator and achieve 50% or better coupling efficiency. The design approach was to develop static mechanical spacers for the waveguide coupler which furnish easy and precise transverse and longitudinal positioning of a LiNbO3 waveguide with respect to an injection laser diode. The program was to include the following tasks: (1) modify the waveguide coupler design and assembly procedures to provide a device that can be readily assembled and will achieve near theoretical coupling efficiency; (2) fabricate these optimized couplers using Hitachi laser diodes and evaluate these devices; (3) deliver two couplers without Ti:LiNbO3 waveguides attached; and (4) provide a cost estimate for the fabrication of ten such units. The variation in tolerances of the components and the capability of present state-of-the-art micropositioning devices to obtain and hold mechanical position accuracies required for the laser diode to waveguide coupler are not adequate to obtain reliable devices that meet the program goal of 50% coupling efficiency. The positional stability of bonding materials for the laser diode and waveguide were also determined to be inadequate to maintain the precise tolerance required. It is recommended that consideration be given to an R and D program to investigate the viability of a monolithic integrated optic approach for the laser diode to waveguide coupler using a common substrate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA100594
Entities
People
- Philip Bear