Polarization independent optical tap.

摘要

An integrated optic device useful as a low level polarization independent optical tap (20) comprises a pair of optical waveguides (21, 22) intersecting at an angle of 10 DEG -25 DEG to provide a tap signal in the range minus 20dB to minus 60dB. In a preferred embodiment for use in a passive repeater for undersea cable, the device comprises fiber-matching waveguides of phosphorus silicate glass on an oxide covered silicon substrate with a boron and phosphorus silicate cladding. The waveguides preferably intersect at an angle of 13 DEG -16 DEG . The preferred repeater further comprises a 3dB coupler (40) for averaging the power provided by two external pumping sources and a pair of wavelength division multiplexers (60, 70) for applying the pumping power to the outputs of the tap. <IMAGE>