Characterization of a multilayered dielectric transmissive phase modulator

Andrew S. Keys; Richard Lynn Fork; Thomas R. Nelson Jr.; James E. Ehret; Joseph E. Van Nostrand

doi:10.1117/12.451482

26 December 2001 Characterization of a multilayered dielectric transmissive phase modulator

Andrew S. Keys, Richard Lynn Fork, Thomas R. Nelson Jr., James E. Ehret, Joseph E. Van Nostrand

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4438, Physics, Theory, and Applications of Periodic Structures in Optics; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.451482
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

We describe a multilayered dielectric stack configuration designed specifically for use as a transmissive phase modulator for broadband optical signals. Applications for this device range from full aperture wavefront correction to nonmechanical beam steering arrays for free space optical communication links. Our implementation employs alternating GaAs and AlAs layers of varying thickness on a GaAs substrate to create a bandpass region of high average transmission in the near infrared. Within this transmission bandpass, the phase component of the complex transmission coefficient varies in a near-linear fashion with respect to wavelength. The transmission bandpass is designed to have a bandwidth of 21.0 nm (or 6.3THz frequency bandwidth) and to have an edge-to-edge relative phase change of greater than 4p radians. Modification of the stack materials' optical properties causes the transmission profile to shift spectrally, resulting in a phase modulation for specific bands of transmitted frequencies. Our broadband phase modulator imparts nearly a full-cycle of phase modulation with low loss and low group velocity dispersion. A sample comprising 91 alternating layers has been fabricated to exhibit the bandpass properties required for optical signal phase modulation. We experimentally characterize the sample using an interferometer and spectrometer to measure the spectral transmission and relative phase profiles and to assess the relative phase modulation in response to a variable angle of incidence. We compare the experimental data to computational predictions and discuss the results.

Citation Download Citation

Andrew S. Keys, Richard Lynn Fork, Thomas R. Nelson Jr., James E. Ehret, and Joseph E. Van Nostrand "Characterization of a multilayered dielectric transmissive phase modulator", Proc. SPIE 4438, Physics, Theory, and Applications of Periodic Structures in Optics, (26 December 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.451482

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE