Design of an Integrated Optical Circuit for Generation of Optical Vortex

We present the results of design studies on an integrated optical circuit able to generate optical vortex by superposition of the two first order modes on the horizontal and vertical direction, respectively. The vertical first order mode has been excited by a discontinuity on the vertical direction, the separation of this mode by the remaining fundamental mode has been obtain via a directional coupler. Another very short directional coupler has been employed to transfer the fundamental mode into a first order mode of a larger waveguide. The vertical and horizontal first order modes has been recombined in order to produce an optical vortex.