On-chip optical isolation via unidirectional Bloch oscillations in a waveguide array

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-15-2012

Abstract

We propose to use the unidirectionality of the optical Bloch oscillation phenomenon achievable in a magneto-optic asymmetric waveguide array to achieve optical isolation. At the 1.55 μm telecommunication wavelength, our isolator design exhibits an isolation ratio of 36 dB between forward-and backward-propagating waves. The proposed design consists of a waveguide array made in a silicon-on-insulator substrate with a magnetic garnet cover layer. A key role is played by the transverse-magnetic mode nonreciprocal phase shift effect. © 2012 Optical Society of America.

Publication Title

Optics Letters

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