Abstract: A method of making Y couplers and grating optical waveguides of the present invention comprises exposing the polydiacetylene to an e-beam or a similar exposing means causing a change in the index of refraction of the polydiacetylene. In the case of e-beam exposure, the optical component patent is produced by directly controlling the e-beam which does not require any physical and/or chemical preparation of the polydiacetylene. The depth of penetration of the e-beam is controlled by the scanning rate and intensity of the e-beam. The optical gratings, fabricated by e-beam exposure technique, also inherit nonlinear optical properties which can be utilized in nonlinear optical applications.

Abstract: An optical device used as an optical switch or bistable device, with surface plasmons, is comprised of a semiconductor base material forming a non-linear dielectric layer along with a metal layer, with an interface between the metal and semiconductor layers including a submicron grating. The device is optically excited from a light source of given intensity. In accordance with the invention, dispersion relation of surface plasmons may be changed by varying the intensity of an input laser so as to provide bistable or hysteresis effect switching. The concepts of the invention may be implemented in either an unadorned device as set forth, or may be fabricated in an optical waveguide.

Abstract: An optical waveguide coupling device which can perform switching functions by changing input light intensity, and associated method of construction thereof, in which the device comprises a base substrate etched to provide an optical grating having a predetermined grating period and amplitude. A thin metal film is deposited on the grating. Subsequently, a polymer film is deposited over the thin metal film, thus forming an optical waveguide. The field for the waveguide mode is nearly zero at the metal-polymer film interface, thus eliminating the loss of energy in the thin metal film. The metal film, in essence, reflects the input beam so that substantially no energy is lost via transmission through the thin metal film and thus all available energy is for coupling into the waveguide mode.