| Waveguide (optics) |
Article Index for Waveguide |
Information AboutWaveguide (optics) |
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Optical waveguides are used as components in Integrated Optical Circuit s or as the transmission medium in local and long haul Optical Communication systems. Optical waveguides can be classified according to their geometry (planar, strip, or fiber waveguides), mode structure ( Single-mode , Multi-mode ), Refractive Index distribution (step or gradient index) and material ( Glass , Polymer , Semiconductor ). RECTANGULAR OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE Optical waveguides with rectangular geometry are produced by a variety of means, usually by a Planar Process . They are commonly used as the basis of such optical components as Mach-Zehnder Interferometer s and Wavelength Division Multiplexers . The Cavities of Laser Diodes are frequently constructed as rectangular optical waveguides. Dielectric slab waveguide Practical rectangular-geometry optical waveguides are most easily understood as variants of the simple dielectric slab waveguide . The slab waveguide consists of three layers of materials with different dielectric constants, extending infinitely in the directions parallel to their interfaces. This structure confines electromagnetic waves only in one direction. Rectangular waveguide Rectangular optical waveguide is formed when the guiding layer of the slab waveguide is restricted in both transverse directions rather than just one. Rectangular waveguides are used in Integrated Optical Circuit s, and as the optical cavity in Laser Diode s. The field distribution in rectangular waveguide cannot be solved analytically, however approximate solution methods, such as Marcatili's Method , are known. OPTICAL FIBER See Also: Optical fiber Optical fiber is typically a circular cross-section ''dielectric waveguide'' consisting of a Dielectric material surrounded by another dielectric material with a lower Refractive Index . Optical fibers are most commonly made from Silica Glass , however other Glass materials are used for certain applications and Plastic Optical Fiber can be used for short-distance applications. SEE ALSO
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