Surface waves in integrated-optics elements with distributed coupling (review)

A review is given of the literature on the interaction and conversion of surface waves in integrated-optics elements with distributed coupling. A general description is given of the distributed coupling of surface waves in thin-film waveguides and a detailed investigation is made of their interaction and conversion in waveguides with periodically modulated parameters. The different types of periodic modulation of the parameters of thin-film waveguides are discussed and compared. The main elements and devices in integrated-optics systems based on periodic diffraction-grating structures are examined. The possibility of using "aperiodic" grating structures in integrated optics is demonstrated and devices with tunnel distributed coupling are considered.