Dynamic control of polarization states with barium titanate integrated photonic devices

D D. Krueger (The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,) L L. Tian (The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,) D D. Hungund (The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,) H H. G. Kim (The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,) A A. Raju (The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,) A A. Posadas (La Luce Cristallina Inc. 2 , Austin, Texas 78759,) A A. A. Demkov (Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin 3 , Austin, Texas 78712,) D D. Wasserman

Abstract

We demonstrate continuous control of polarization from a two-dimensional grating outcoupler of a modified Mach–Zehnder interferometer, fabricated in barium titanate grown on a silicon substrate. The polarization state of out-coupled light at λ≈1550 nm is measured as a function of wavelength and applied bias. We show wavelength-dependent polarization switching from nearly entirely left hand circularly, to linearly, to nearly entirely right hand circularly polarized light. We also demonstrate voltage-tuning of the polarization state of the out-coupled light and achieve switching between left- and right-hand circularly polarized output with <10 V applied bias and an effective VπL∼0.6Vcm. The demonstrated device offers the potential for compact sources with deterministic and ultra-high speed control of polarization states.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 128, Issue 16
Published April 20, 2026
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

D

D. Krueger

The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,

L

L. Tian

The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,

D

D. Hungund

The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,

H

H. G. Kim

The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,

A

A. Raju

The Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Texas at Austin 1 , Austin, Texas 78758,

A

A. Posadas

La Luce Cristallina Inc. 2 , Austin, Texas 78759,

A

A. A. Demkov

Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin 3 , Austin, Texas 78712,

D

D. Wasserman