Modal analysis of PbSe-clad optical waveguides

摘要

A four-layer air-PbSe-BaF/sub 2/-CaF/sub 2/ structure has been analysed as an optical waveguide at a free space wavelength of 3.4 /spl mu/m. The structure was found to preserve the unique properties of the more general semiconductor-clad optical waveguides. The critical values of PbSe thickness that lead to regions of selectively high and low attenuation were accurately determined. Field distribution plots were generated and used extensively to explain these effects. Calculations of the coupling coefficients data indicates that the PbSe-clad optical waveguide can be used efficiently in a number of different applications, such as polarisers, optical modulators and IR photodetectors.