Method of making dielectric optical waveguides

摘要

An opto-electronic element consists of a dielectric optical waveguide having a single crystal core of meta-nitroaniline. The element is made by feeding molten meta-nitroaniline into a hollow fibre along which a temperature gradient exists. Nucleation sets in at one end of the fibre and the temperature gradient is altered to promote crystal growth along the fibre. The element can be used as a polarizer, in isolators, harmonic generators or mixers. The action of the device depends on either the non-linear optical properties of the meta-nitroaniline or the optical anisotropy of the meta-nitroaniline. To make a polarizer the meta-nitroaniline core is surrounded by a cladding having a refractive index lying midway between two of the refractive indices of the meta-nitroaniline.