TE-TM Mode Converter Using Optically Active Polymer

Abstract

A novel TE-TM mode converter using optically active polymer: poly-l-menthylmethacrylate (PMtMA) was studied theoretically and experimentally. In a three-layered slab waveguide consisting of the PMtMA core layer on a fused quartz substrate, a low-loss TE₀-TM₀ mode conversion with an efficiency of 60 to 70% was easily obtained for the first time at a wavelength of 441.6 nm. The method to achieve a phase-matched operation of this polymer TE-TM mode converter was also discussed.