Coupled-waveguide Fabry-Perot resonator

Narrowband spectral filters find important applications in optical fiber communication systems, particularly in wavelength demultiplexers and single-frequency semiconductor lasers. Conventional Fabry-Perot resonators provide a narrow spectral width but lack the capability of mode discrimination. A new coupled-waveguide Fabry-Perot resonator made of two parallel waveguides with reflecting mirrors at the ends is proposed for application as narrowband tuned spectral filter in single-mode diode lasers and wavelength demultiplexers.

The interference of counter propagating waves from reflection by end mirrors and the coupling of waves between the two parallel guides contribute to the operation of this resonator structure. Thus, the device exhibits the attributes of both Fabry-Perot resonator and directional coupler. The coupled-mode theory of parallel waveguides is employed to analyze the proposed structure. Spectral characteristics are derived from the governing coupled-mode equations and related boundary conditions.

Two geometries consisting of identical waveguides, as well as nonidentical waveguides, are examined. The spectral characteristics of the proposed resonator demonstrate that significant improvement in mode discrimination capability and longitudinal mode spacing over the conventional Fabry-Perot resonator is achieved. Numerical results for several example cases are presented and the influence of various parameters on spectral properties are investigated.