Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
12:19
Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source
Published on: April 4, 2017
Enhanced light coupling in sub-wavelength single-mode silicon on insulator waveguides
1Laboratoire de Nanotechnologies et d'Instrumentation Optique, ICD, CNRS (FRE2848), Université de Technologie de Troyes, Troyes, France.
Optics Express
|April 29, 2009
Summary
We achieved efficient near-infrared (NIR) light coupling into silicon waveguides using adaptable polymer-tipped optical fibers (PTOF). This method significantly enhances coupling factors compared to traditional micro lenses, reaching up to 50% efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Efficient light coupling is crucial for integrated photonic devices.
- Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides are key components in photonic integrated circuits.
- Current coupling methods often face limitations in efficiency and adaptability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel method for efficient near-infrared (NIR) end-coupling into single-mode SOI waveguides.
- To explore the use of Polymer-Tipped Optical Fibers (PTOF) with adaptable radius of curvature (ROC) for improved light coupling.
- To compare the performance of PTOF with commercial micro lenses.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of PTOF with varying ROC.
- Experimental measurement of coupling efficiency into SOI waveguides.
- Numerical simulations using radial Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) methods.
- Systematic studies varying PTOF ROC and comparing with micro lenses.
Main Results:
- Achieved efficient NIR end-coupling into single-mode SOI waveguides.
- Demonstrated significant coupling factor enhancement (up to 2.5x) using subwavelength PTOF.
- Observed a strong correlation between PTOF ROC and coupling performance.
- Estimated an absolute coupling efficiency of approximately 50%.
Conclusions:
- PTOF with adaptable ROC offer a superior solution for efficient end-coupling in SOI waveguides.
- The developed PTOF method provides a significant improvement over conventional micro-lens coupling.
- The findings are supported by both experimental data and FDTD simulations, validating the approach.
