Masahiro Geshiro

All-optical logic gates containing a two-mode nonlinear waveguide

We propose a new element containing a two-mode nonlinear waveguide consisting of Kerr-like material for all-optical logic circuits. The proposed element, incorporated into the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, functions like a phase shifter. Although the optical waves propagating in the proposed element are monochromatic and identical in polarization, its function is insensitive to the relative phase difference between the incident beams. Using this element, we can realize various logic functions. In this paper, we demonstrate such logic circuits as inverters, distributors, and AND gates.

New design method for low-loss Y-branch waveguides

We propose a new method to design low-loss Y-branch waveguides. In conventional design methods, a specific geometry of branching structure is given first, and then structural parameters describing the details of the proposed geometry (for example, location, sizes, and refractive index of microprisms or phase-adjusting elements) are determined by ray optics or other means. In this paper, we take quite a different approach. Given a complex field distribution, one complex refractive index distribution that supports it is determined uniquely, according to the scalar Helmholtz equation. Using this relation, we first make up an ideal field distribution for dividing optical waves smoothly in the branching region. Next, we calculate the refractive index distribution corresponding to the ideal field. Finally, the imaginary part of the refractive index is set to be zero and its real part is discretized into three levels from the practical viewpoint. Numerical simulations show that the present design method offers extremely low-loss Y-branch waveguides.

A dual-plane comb-line filter having plural attenuation poles

In this paper, a dual-plane comb-line filter having plural attenuation poles is proposed. We investigate the filtering characteristics from both experiments and numerical simulations by means of the finite-difference time-domain method. It is shown that this filter has attenuation poles just above, as well as below the passband and that intersections between the curves of input susceptance of the even and odd modes agree with the attenuation-pole frequencies. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that, by changing the position of the metal pin, which connects two resonators, we can change the input susceptance of the odd mode alone and, hence, regulate the attenuation-pole frequencies.

Symmetric three-branch optical power divider with a coupling cap

Proposed is a new fork-type three-branch optical power divider consisting of two different dielectric materials. The structure is composed of a symmetric Y-branch waveguide with a phase front retarder and a center branch located a coupling gap apart. The present power divider suffers minimum radiation losses as compared to previously reported fork-type three-branch devices consisting of two dielectric materials. Numerical simulations are carried out with a finite difference beam propagation analysis for representative three different sets of significant structural parameters as the refractive index and waveguide width. Numerical results also contain the power dividing characteristics for the case where sharp wedges of index distribution are blunted.

Study of the influence of grounding for microstrip resonators

The influence of ground terminal shape on the resonant frequency of a microstrip resonator is investigated through numerical simulations and experiments. Resonators are one of the basic components of very small high-dielectric stripline filters, named the laminated-planar filter. The resonant frequencies are calculated by means of the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and compared with experimental results. It is also shown that the resonant frequency is directly related to the square root of its line inductance when the resonator is regarded equivalently as a series LC circuit.

Coupling efficiency of butt-joined isotropic and anisotropic single-mode slab waveguides

Studied is the effect of axial displacement and angular misalignment on the power-coupling efficiency of a butt-joint between an isotropic and an anisotropic single-mode slab waveguide. The power-coupling coefficient is formulated by means of the boundary conditions at the interface of the butt-joint and the orthogonality relations between the modes in the outgoing waveguide. It is found from the numerical results that proper amounts of angular misalignment and axial displacement remarkably suppress transmission losses when the material coordinate system of the anisotropic waveguide is not aligned with its waveguide coordinate system in the plane defined by the propagation axis and the normal of the waveguide surface. >

Proposal of a new folded comb-line filter

We propose a new type of comb-line filter that is suitable for miniaturization utilizing stratifying technology. It consists of a couple of composite resonators. Each resonator is composed of two sections of a microstrip and a coplanar waveguide fabricated on the microstrip ground plane which are connected through a piece of wire at an open end to set up a new folded comb-line filter. The filtering characteristics are investigated through experiments as well as numerical simulations by means of the FD-TD method. It is shown that the filtering characteristics can be much improved by removing part of the barrier in the coplanar-line portion of the resonator to alter the coupling.

Novel design method for 4-branch optical power splitters

We propose a new method to design 4-branch power splitters. In the method, the index distribution of 4-branch region is calculated from the field distribution synthesized to achieve lossless 4-branch splitting.

A Dual-Band Comb-Line Filter Using a Half-Wavelength Stripline Nesting a Quarter-Wavelength Coplanar Waveguide Resonator

This paper presents a novel dual-band comb-line filter using a pair of hybrid resonators. The resonator consists of a half-wavelength stripline resonator short-circuited at both ends and a quarter-wavelength resonator of coplanar waveguide that is nested in the half-wavelength resonator. Numerical calculations by an electromagnetic simulator clarify the characteristics of dual-frequency resonance of the hybrid resonator when the structural parameters are changed. The surface current density on the resonator is also investigated at the resonant frequencies. A typical model of the resonator is fabricated and its resonance frequency characteristics are measured.

Multistage dual-plane comb-line filter excited by conductor-backed coplanar waveguide

This paper proposes a novel multi-stage dual-plane comb-line filter having plural attenuation poles just below and above the passband. As this filter has such a structure such that two quarter-wavelength step impedance resonators are placed face-to-face beyond the substrate on each filter block, the mutual coupling between adjacent blocks are small and the optimisation on each block can be done independently. High performance filters up to 4-stages are demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally.