MODELING OF PARAMETRIC AMPLIFICATION IN THE CERENKOV-IDLER CONFIGURATION IN PLANAR WAVE-GUIDES

We present theoretical modeling of a novel configuration for quasi-pha se-matched parametric amplification in which the pump and the signal f ields form guided waves of a planar waveguide while the idler is radia ted into the substrate. We follow a coupled-mode approach to study the parametric amplification in periodically domain-reversed proton-excha nged LiNbO3 waveguides upon a Z-cut substrate and present numerical re sults relevant to the amplification process. In particular, for given pump and signal wavelengths we have studied the dependence of the gain coefficient on the periodicity of a grating formed by domain inversio n. This configuration, which is referred to as the Cerenkov-idler conf iguration, is shown to provide a large signal gain bandwidth and is mo re tolerant to variations in pump frequency. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America