Introduction to Optical Components

INTRODUCTION

In this book, the main optical components that translate the majority of the interaction effects between electromagnetic waves and matter into technological practice are presented in a summary way.

The importance of these components has grown in recent decades in relation to the extraordinary development of telecommunications and, in general, of the entire information technology sector.

On the other hand, basic physics had already highlighted the main characteristics of lasers and optical components since the 1960s, perfecting the physics of matter, solid state and semiconductors.

As such, this book certainly does not claim to be exhaustive or to cover notions that range between different technological university courses.

Rather, the intent is to focus on the physical mechanisms and underlying equations of those components.

For this reason, the contents of this manual are suitable for those who already have an understanding of mathematics, physics and technology at the university level.

I

THE GUIDES AND THE FLAT SLAB

Introduction

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A dielectric waveguide is a component in which a given electromagnetic wave is able to propagate in a particular direction while remaining confined in a limited portion of the plane, transverse to the same direction of propagation.

This is the concept of guided propagation , the basis of all optical and electro-optical components.

The physical mechanisms underlying this propagation reside in the particularity of some materials, called dielectrics, for which there is a different