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Efficient input and output fiber coupling to a photonic crystal waveguide.
Paul E Barclay1, Kartik Srinivasan, Matthew Borselli
1Department of Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA. pbarclay@caltech.edu
Optics Letters
|April 10, 2004
Summary
This study demonstrates efficient evanescent coupling between optical fibers and silicon photonic crystals. A novel mirror design achieved 88% power retrieval, showing high potential for integrated photonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Evanescent coupling is crucial for interfacing optical fibers with integrated photonic circuits.
- Silicon photonic crystal waveguides offer unique light manipulation properties.
- Efficient power transfer is key for miniaturized optical systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and quantify the efficiency of evanescent coupling.
- To explore the use of a high-reflectivity mirror for power recollection.
- To determine the performance of silica optical fiber tapers coupled to silicon photonic crystal waveguides.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a silica optical fiber taper.
- Integration with a silicon photonic crystal waveguide.
- Implementation of a high-reflectivity mirror at the waveguide end.
- Measurement of optical power in backward-propagating fiber modes.
Main Results:
- Achieved 88% outcoupled power in the backward-propagating fiber mode.
- Determined a lower bound on coupler efficiency of 94%.
- Demonstrated effective power recollection using the mirror.
Conclusions:
- High efficiency evanescent coupling is feasible between silica fibers and silicon photonic crystals.
- The mirror design significantly enhances power retrieval.
- This method shows promise for efficient fiber-to-chip coupling in photonic integrated circuits.