Radiatively coupled magneto-optic waveguides

Abstract

Radiative coupling offers an alternative to the well-known principle of coupling by evanescent mode fields. Although the entire coupler structure will not suffer from radiation losses, the modes of individual waveguides can be leaky. In this case the mode fields oscillate in the coupling region thus allowing for remote coupling. Combining radiative coupling with the nonreciprocal properties of magneto-optic waveguides seems to be a promising line of investigation towards the realization of integrated optical isolators and circulators. New design for such devices is proposed and critically discussed.