Semileaky thin-film optical isolator

Abstract

Two interesting effects have been experimentally demonstrated for the first time: (1) simultaneous reciprocal and nonreciprocal mode conversion to achieve an isolation effect and (2) magneto‐optic switching between guided and radiation modes. These effects were observed in connection with the construction of a previously proposed thin‐film optical isolator. The isolator consists of a piece of LiNbO₃ placed on top of a thin film of yttrium ion garnet (YIG) with a selenium layer to avoid optical contact problems. The isolator, which is 1 cm long, exhibited 10 dB of isolation at λ = 1.15 μm. The observed isolation was better than theoretical predictions and a mysterious isolation direction dependence on mode order was observed. Although the device had 10 dB of insertion loss and required a magnetic field of 40 Oe, with a slight change in wavelength and film composition, it should be possible to reduce the insertion loss and field required to under 1 dB and 0.1 Oe, respectively. These characteristics combined with broad tolerances on film thickness and the length of the isolation region, broadband operation (from λ = 1.1 to 4.5 μm), and easy construction and adjustment make the isolator very attractive for use in integrated optics.