Variable coupling coefficient nonlinear directional couplers with self-focusing and self-defocusing nonlinearity

Nonlinear directional couplers (NLDCs) with a variable coupling coefficient (VCC) in self-focusing and self-defocusing materials are investigated. Specifically, the Gaussian type VCC NLDCs are studied in detail. The results show that the responses of the VCC NLDCs on self-focusing and self-defocusing materials are different, especially when input power is high. The coupled-mode theory can also be used to predict the characteristics of the VCC NLDC on self-focusing material, even when input power is high. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.