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The integrated prism interpretation of multileg Mach-Zehnder interferometers based on multimode interference couplers

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Abstract

To simplify the driving conditions as well as to improve the wavelength response of multileg Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI) based on multimode interference (MMI) couplers we develop a new interpretation of these devices. Used for optical switching and for wavelength filtering, they are shown to work as active or passive integrated prisms. This analogy greatly facilitates the design of such components and simplifies the understanding of their functionality. The driving conditions of optical switches based on such multileg MZI are easility studied and will be reduced to basic active phase shifts. For wavelength filtering applications using such elements, a new design of the phased waveguide array is proposed which improves the characteristics of the filters.

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Author notes

  1. P. A. Besse

    Present address: Institute of Microengineering, EPF-Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Quantum Electronics, ETH-Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland

    P. A. Besse, M. Bachmann, C. Nadler & H. Melchior

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  1. P. A. Besse
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  2. M. Bachmann
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  3. C. Nadler
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  4. H. Melchior
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Besse, P.A., Bachmann, M., Nadler, C. et al. The integrated prism interpretation of multileg Mach-Zehnder interferometers based on multimode interference couplers. Opt Quant Electron 27, 909–920 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00558483

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00558483

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