Patent ID: 7171065

Claim:
An optical device comprising: a support layer having a top surface and a bottom surface; a first waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a first height; a second waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a second height, the second height being less than the first height; a third waveguide segment disposed above the top surface, and having a first end, a second end, and an axis of light propagation spaced above the top surface by a third height, the third height being greater than the first height and the second height; a fourth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the second waveguide segment; a fifth waveguide segment that couples the second end of the first waveguide segment to the first end of the third waveguide segment; and a first electrode disposed adjacent to at least one of the second and third waveguide segments.