Aspherics In Integrated Optics

A wide class of geodesic components for integrated optics, that are capable of beam deflection and splitting, focusing and imaging, are described. They are obtained simply by inserting in the substrate of the optical circuit a depression (or protrusion) of suitable curvature. The majority of these geodesic elements have aspherical surfaces, that must be fabricated with high accuracy. A general analytical design procedure is reported, which can be used also to evaluate the effects of the fabrication errors. The experimental tests of some aspheric components, fabricated in glass substrates by conventional grinding and polishing techniques, have been satisfactory.