Anomalous dispersion in Lithium Niobate one-dimensional waveguide array in the near-infrared wavelength range

Abstract

Knowing the dispersion regime (normal vs anomalous) is important for both an isolated waveguide and a waveguide array. We investigate by the Finite Element Method the dispersion properties of a LiNbO3 waveguides array using two techniques. The first one assumes the Coupled Mode Theory in a 2-waveguide system. The other one uses the actual diffraction curve determined in a 7-waveguide system. In both approaches we find that by decreasing the array period, one passes from normal dispersion by achromatic point to anomalous array dispersion. We then illustrate the wavelength separation by doing Runge-Kutta light propagation simulations in waveguide array. As all the parameters values are technologically feasible, this opens new possibilities for optical data processing.