Ti:LiNbO3 optical switches, directional couplers and modulators are of interest in areas such as optical communications, sensing, and signal processing. It is important that their operation should be stable and reliable over a wide range of temperatures. It has been suggested that temperature changes of -25 degree(s)C did not produce any appreciable changes in symmetric directional couplers response. We have investigated the temperature effects on commercially available Z-cut Ti:LiNbO3 directional couplers/switches. Measurements over temperature range between 19 degree(s)C-27%DGRC showed that temperature affected the transfer characteristics (TC) by shifting them toward lower biasing voltage. The average shift in bias voltage was measured to be about 3 V/ degree(s)C. However, no appreciable changes in switching voltage, crosstalk or coupling ratio were observed. This sensitivity to temperature changes is believed to be due to thermo-optic effect and therefore enhanced by the asymmetry of the waveguides.
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Mohan-Rao G. Lingampalli, Mohcene Mezhoudi, "Temperature sensitivity of lithium niobate optical switches," Proc. SPIE 2290, Fiber Optic Materials and Components, (28 September 1994);