Recent Abstracts by S. Ruschin:

Synthesis of Laser Beams According to Axial Profile

S. Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract The shaping of laser beams has practical interest in the design of optical resonators optimiedz for a given amplifying medium. It is also advantageous when a definite profile is required for an outcoming beam related to a given application. This presentation will be mainly concerned with profiling of beams along the optical axis. The main question adressed is, what kind of axial profiles are physically realizable and by which methods.

Diffractionless beams and their limitations will be reviewed as an example of special axial profile. New type of beams were found within the framework of this research, with the property of persistent and non­ oscillatory intensity dependence on the axial coordinate.

Voltage Controlled NxN Coupled Waveguide Switch and Power Splitter

Mode Synthesis of Optical Resonators with Graded Optical Elements

Properties of the transverse eigenmode set in optical resonators with apertures. Comment.

Integrated Optical Components of Reduced Longitudinal Dimensions

Modified Bessel nondiffracting beams

S. Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract Solutions of the the scalar wave equation are introduced based on modified Bessel functions. These functions are radially non-oscillating, unbound and nondiffractive. Their propagation constant is larger than that of vacuum meaning an inverse Guoy effect or a phase velocity smaller than c. Physical realizations of the beams are accomplished by apodizing the modified Bessel profiles by means of suitable window functions. When Gaussian apodization functions are used, slower axial decay is denoted as compared to the Gaussian and to the ordinary Bessel counterparts. Super-Gaussian and circular apodization are also examined. In the last case a persistent narrow axial lobe is encountered which has also a non-decaying character.

Inversion of the Transverse Mode Calculation Problem in Laser Resonators

S.Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract Instead of calculating the transverse modal shape for a given resonator configuration, we invert the problem and ask wether a cavity can be developed based on the Orthogonal Collocation Method. The formalism is designed which supports a given transverse modal structure. This possibility can be advantageous in the design of optical resonators optimized for a given amplifying medium, by matching the geometrical properties of the mode with the gain and saturation profiles of the amplifier. A formalism was developed based on the Orthogonal Collocation Method. The formalism is based on the expansion of the field in a set of orthogonal functions of number M, for which the propagation properties of each of its composing elements are known. Sampling the field at M special points (collocation points) results in the generation of an orthogonal MxM matrix which describes the propagation of a wavefront on a resonator round-trip. By suitable matrix operations, like diagonalization, the fundamental and higher order modes are obtained, but more important, the inverse problem can be solved, namely, the synthesis of a suitable optical element of graded transmissivity or reflectivity, which will ensure that the cavity will support a pre-described transverse mode shape.

Phase Velocity of Light Matching by Means of Axially Displaced Gaussian Modes

S.Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract Many physical fundamental phenomena in the interaction between matter and light depend on the value and functional dependence of the phase velocity of the electromagnetic wave. Notorious examples are phase matching between electromagnetic waves and matter waves in solids and plasmas, and among two electromagnetic waves interacting via a optically non-linear medium. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce a new mechanism of potential practical implications, able to control the phase velocity of a propagating beam. The mechanism is based on a the property which was recently demonstrated by the author that by superposition of axially displaced Gaussian modes, the phase of the complex amplitude of an optical field along its propagation axis can be determined. As a consequence, the phase velocity of light along the axis is affected. Examples of increase and decrease of of the phase velocity are presented. The advantage of the method is that it is based on a pure optical effect and is not dependent on dispersive and anisotropy properties of the propagating medium.

Field-induced waveguided devices in LiNbO3: New developements

S.Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract Field-induced waveguides were demonstrated two decades ago, but did not attracted much further attention due to the high voltages required for their operation. Advantageous features of these devices are fabrication simplicity and high extinction ratio when used as a modulating means. Recently, a series of improvements have lowered the operating voltages to within practical values. This was achieved by confining the radiation in the depth direction by means of a planar waveguide and by narrowing the gap between the electrodes which delimit the electrical field. In a further development we demonstrated in such a configuration a field­ induced beating effect, when buried modes were excited. The beats were induced by a modulating voltage of 0.8 Volts on a 15mm interaction length, meaning voltage-length product significantly lower as compared to conventional LiNbO3 modulators. These parameters allow shorter device lengths and present evident advantages in large-bandwidth modulation at microwave frequencies.

Improved Near Field Method for Refractive Index Measurement of Optical Waveguides

D. Brooks and S. Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract Refractive index profiles of waveguides are deduced from near-field intensity distributions of guided modes. To improve the accuracy of refractive index profiles, some measurements are taken with the center peak of the mode intensity profile blocked, allowing the increase of the optical power at the waveguide boundaries with a corresponding increase in the signal-to-noise ratio. Additional improvements reported here are related to the subsequent signal processing, which is performed mainly in the spatial frequency domain. Smooth and reliable profiles of channel waveguides are obtained, the method being very general and not presuming the functional dependence of n(x,y).

Visible waveguide laser based on dye-doped sol-gel glass film

I. Finkelstein, S. Ruschin, Y. Sorek and R. Reisfeld
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract We report laser action in thin films of glass produced by the sol-gel method. The low temperature at which the glass and films were processed allows the incorporation of organic dyes that amplify light when optically pumped. XXX dye-doped films where prepared that were pumped by frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser light focused by means of a cylindrical lens. Fresnel back- reflections at the edge of the film provided sufficient feedback to allow laser action. A clear threshold effect was observed at pumping energies of XX microjoules/pulse. Laser action was also evidenced by a pulse narrowing effect . The developement of good quality optical waveguides based on thin films prepared by the sol-gel method [1], permitted us to report recently [2] the measurement of high-gain coefficients in dye- doped planar waveguides. The main advantage of the sol-gel method relies on the low temperature of processing of the films. This property allows the incorporation of dye molecules into the the glass matrix, which, by conventional methods would decompose due to the high temperature involved.

Device for Laser Source Identification

S.Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract A compact device for the characterization of laser incoming radiation based on a novel concept is presented. The device has the ability of performing simultaneously the following tasks: (1) To identify positively the incoming radiation as laser light (2) To determine the wavelength of the radiation. (3) To determine the direction of the radiation. Being based on low-cost components, these devices are expected to find applications in laser safety as well as in laser games and entertainment systems. A prototype of the device was built and tested.

Frequency controlled variable reflectivity mirror

M. Keselbrener and S. Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract We descibe a mirror, based on the frustrated total internal reflection effect, in conjunction with a Fox-Smith interferometer. The device has a performance which is very sensitive to frequency, and has potential applications in laser resonators.

A Method for Measurement the Coupling Coefficient of Coupled Optical Waveguides

D. Brooks, D. Scarlat and S. Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University,
Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel

Abstract A new method for direct measurement of the coupling coefficient of coupled optical waveguides is presented. The method consists of imaging the field at the output facet of the device, while the excitation at the input facet is performed by illuminating it with a planar wavefront, and scanning the angle of incidence of the front with respect to the input facet. A useful and simple relationship of Fourier-type exists between the coefficients of the normal-modes excited by this procedure and the spatial Fourier Transform of these modes. From this relationship, the coupling coefficients are readily deduced. Only one pair of coupled guides running from facet-to facet is required. The coupling coefficient of coupled Titanium indiffused LiNbO3 waveguides was experimentally measured by this technique and the results compared favorably with another known method. The method is simple and requires microcomputer assisted CCD camera and minimal standard optical equipment. The method is especially adequate for automatic industrial online nondestructive measurement and characterization of related Integrated Optic devices.

Light amplification in a dye-doped glass planar waveguide

Y. Sorke and R. Reisfeld
Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.

I. Finkelstein and S. Ruschin
Department of Electrical Engineering-Physical Electronics, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel.

Abstract Glass waveguide films were prepared from titania and modified silica using the sol-gel method and doped by the laser dye rhodamine B. The guided and amplif ied fluorescence (pumped by a double frequency Nd-YAG laser) was coupled out either by static grating written on the film or by a prism. The gain of the emitted sduperradiance was determined from the amplified spontaneous emission intensity dependence ont he pumped strip length. A maximum net gain of 54 dB/cm was measured.

Proton-exchanged periodically segmented channel waveguides in lithium niobate

D. Nir, S. Ruschin, A. Hardy and D. Brooks
Department of Electrical Engineering - Physical Electronics,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel

Abstract Annealed proton-exchanged periodically segmented channel waveguides were fabricated in Z-cut lithium niobate. the propagation losses as a function of the duty cycle and the segmentation period are exported. Waveguiding was observed at large segmentation periods up to 10 muem. For duty cycle > 0.5 the propagation losses are nearly the same as measured for a continuous waveguide with the same width, namely ~1.45 dB/cm. With decreasing duty cycle, the mode expands in the transverse directions.

Asymmetric Y-junction wavelength demultiplexer based on segmented waveguides

Z. Weissman, D., Nir, S. Ruschin, and A. Hardy

Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel

Abstract An asymmetric Y-junction wavelength demultiplexer, with a segmented branch, was realized in Ti:LiNbO1. The device was fabricated in a single-step lithographical process. Wavelength demultiplexing operation in the range 6.33 nm lambda 834 nm is demonstrated with extinction ratios up to 30 dB. Insertion loss vary between a negligible value (far away from cutoff) up to 7dB (near cutoff). Possible applications of the device are considered.

Periodically segmented waveguides in Ti:LiNbB3

D. Nir, Z. Weissman, S. Ruschin, and A. Hardy
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel

Abstract Periodically segmented waveguides with periods of few tens of micrometers and nonconnected segments are studied experimentally in Ti:LiNbO3. The near-field patterns were found to expand with decreasing duty cycle but to be independent of the segmentation period. The measured segmentation losses vary between 0.5 and 2.5 dB/cm, depending on the period and the duty cycle. These results agree with a simple numerical model, based on two loss mechanisms: waveguide segmentation and surface relief related to Ti indiffusion.

Buried modes in combined Ti diffused and Li outdiffused LiNbO3 slab waveguides

E. Arad, S. Ruschin, and D. Nir,
Faculty of Engineering, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv, Israel

Abstract Buried waveguiding planar modes of well-defined profiles were observed in samples undergoing simultaneous Ti indiffusion and Li outdiffusion in a water vapor atmosphere. Each of these modes was distinctly excited by end-fire fiber coupling and suffered no loss by metal loading. An index profile which fits the mode shapes measured, and a mechanism is suggested based on the influence of a Ti-rich layer compound on the Li outdiffusion process.

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Last modified: January, 1997.