Patent ID: 6596557
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
A method of making a cavity-assisted directional-coupler, comprising a substrate including waveguide pathways each having a higher refractive index than the substrate for guiding the transmission of light therethrough, and a plurality of electrodes to receive electrical signals for controlling the light transmission through said pathways; said waveguide pathways being included in an interaction zone and being of an electro-optically active waveguide material whose refractive index changes in response to electrical signals applied to said electrodes; said waveguide pathways also being included in an access zone providing optical access to said interaction zone; said active waveguide material in said interaction zone being a different material from the waveguide material in said access zone; said interaction zone including an optical cavity having front and back ends defined by reflector facets perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the optical cavity;wherein in said method, said reflector facets are made by etching said substrate to form said perpendicular facets, and then applying reflector coatings to said perpendicular facets.