Patent ID: 9638981
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: G02F

Claim:
1. An optical device comprising: a first optical coupler configured to receive a light signal and provide a first output and a second output; a first optical waveguide in optical communication with the first output and configured to provide a first optical path for a first portion of the light signal; a phase shifter comprising a p-i-n junction and configured to introduce a phase shift to the first optical path by a carrier injection of free carriers; and a second optical waveguide in optical communication with the second output and configured to provide a second optical path for a second portion of the light signal, wherein at least the first optical waveguide is configured to provide a phase differential between the first optical path and the second optical path, wherein the second optical waveguide is positioned with respect to the first optical waveguide based on the carrier injection, the p-i-n junction, and a lateral thermal diffusion length associated with the first optical waveguide, wherein the lateral thermal diffusion length is a spreading distance of a thermal effect in a direction about perpendicular to the first optical path, and wherein the lateral thermal diffusion length is a distance at which a temperature is about 20 percent (%) of a maximum temperature.