Numerical analysis of 1.55-µm wavelength optical deflector using arrayed waveguide with staircase-like refractive index distribution

This paper proposes an optical deflector using an arrayed waveguide with a staircase-like refractive index profile. This device is an optical deflector using an array waveguide with the refractive index different in each of the component waveguides. Optical deflection is accomplished by application of a voltage. In order to study the deflection properties, a theoretical analysis of the structure, device parameters, deflection angle, and number of resolution points is carried out. As a method of realizing an arrayed waveguide with built-in refractive index steps, selective organometallic vapor phase epitaxial growth is used for fabrication of an array waveguide with multiple quantum well structures. Initial experimental results are reported here. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(4): 1–9, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10103