Effects of nonlinear mode field changes in optical switching using directional couplers

Abstract

In nonlinear applications of waveguide couplers the nonlinear effect on the fundamental mode field is usually quite small. Hence it is generally believed that nonlinear effects in such applications can be analyzed accurately even though the nonlinear modal shape changes are neglected. However, we show that, even in devices with small nonlinear coefficients or low intensities, the nonlinear modal shape change can be significant in the application of nonlinear waveguide couplers to all-optical switching. Show more