Beam‐propagation‐method analysis of a three‐waveguide nonlinear directional coupler

Abstract

Abstract The power‐transfer characteristics of a three‐waveguide nonlinear directional coupler (NLDC) are investigated with the beam‐propagation method based on the finite‐difference scheme. The coupler consists of two outer linear waveguides and a center waveguide with a nonlinear Kerrlike medium. It is shown that the three‐waveguide NLDC is useful for constructing a power‐dependent power divider, a power‐dependent power combiner, and an optical logic element. © 1995 John wiley & Sons, Inc.