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A multipurpose directional coupler based on integrated optics technology is described. The coupling characteristics of the device is controlled by a narrowband microwave biasing signal that travels in synchronism with the light in the guides. This velocity-matched coupler operates as a gate that can open and close in <0.1 psec and can be used to generate, modulate, time-multiplex, or demultiplex subpicosecond pulses at any optical wavelength. Such a device seems to be a promising tool for extending current frontiers in such fields as optical communication, time-domain spectroscopy, metrology, and computer logic where extremely short pulses are useful.
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E. A. J. Marcatili (1980) studied this question.
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