William C Divens

US Patent:

44457510, May 1, 1984

Filed:

Oct 19, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/312555

Inventors:

William C. Divens - Penn Hills PA
Eugene G. Vaerewyck - Pittsburgh PA

Assignee:

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

G02B 5174

US Classification:

350 9614

Abstract:

The invention comprises an optical interferometer system utilizing optical fibers. Titanium is diffused into the surface of lithium niobate substrate to form an optical waveguide utilized by the interferometer. The central portion of the optical waveguide is divided into two substantially parallel sections. Grooves between and alongside the optical waveguide are etched into the surface of the lithium niobate to optically decouple the waveguide sections from each other and from the substrate. A first electrode is positioned between the parallel sections of the optical waveguide with second and third electrodes positioned alongside these sections. These electrodes are utilized to subject the optical waveguides to an electrical field to differentially modulate the velocity of optical energy in the parallel sections or waveguide in response to an electrical signal. This differential modulation of the velocity of optical energy permits enhancement of attenuation of the propagating light to develop in the waveguide. Along two edges of the optical interferometer, small shelves are formed in the ends of the substrate to expose the ends of optical waveguide.