Abstract: | Optical fiber is rapidly becoming the transmission medium of choice for new telecommunication systems. For a true lightwave network to evolve, however, optical control devices such as optical switches and multiplexer-demultiplexers will be essential. Optical guided-wave devices built with photolithographic fabrication techniques and electro-optic substrates are compact, low drive power devices that provide these functions. Research is particularly advanced on integrated-optic devices based on waveguides formed by titanium diffused into lithium niobate. Switch arrays, tunable filters, and high-speed modulators have been demonstrated and used in research systems experiments. |