Patent ID: 6212319
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
Electro-optical device of the type having a structure comprising at least:one lower confining layer (1) and one upper confining layer (3) placed on either side of a lightwave guiding layer (2),two at least partially parallel primary lines (4-1,4-2), placed on the upper confining layer (3), opposite the guide layer (2),the materials and dimensions of these layers and primary lines being chosen so as to define, substantially straight with the primary lines (4-i), two waveguides operating according to a first propagation mode, andelectro-optical control means (E-1) placed at a selected location in order to vary the coupling between the two guides,characterised in that the electro-optical control means (E-1) are placed between the two primary lines (4-1,4-2) and arranged, on the one hand, to permit locally a second propagation mode affecting both waveguides together and, on the other hand, to control the transfer of the first mode between the two waveguides which enclose it, by acting chiefly on this second mode.