Integrated-optics Bragg coupler with a characteristic grating

A new electrooptic Bragg coupler was formed in a lithium niobate crystal substrate with a Ti diffused waveguide. The coupler had a threshold-type switching characteristic due to a "characteristic" shape of a diffraction grating. The coupler can be used as an active component of optical integrated systems. The results are reported of a specific application in a 4×4 switching network for optical communication channels.