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Chip-scale spectrometry based on tapered hollow Bragg waveguides
R G DeCorby1, N Ponnampalam, E Epp
1ECE Dept., University of Alberta, 2nd Floor, 9107-116 St. N.W., Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2V4. rdecorby@ualberta.ca
Optics Express
|September 23, 2009
Summary
We developed a compact micro-spectrometer using a tapered leaky waveguide. This novel device achieves high resolution (1 nm) and broad bandwidth (>100 nm) for optical sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Micro-spectrometers are crucial for miniaturized optical analysis.
- Existing designs face trade-offs between size, resolution, and bandwidth.
- Tapered waveguides offer potential for compact photonic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel micro-spectrometer design.
- To achieve high spectral resolution and broad operating bandwidth in a compact footprint.
- To explore the use of out-of-plane radiation in tapered leaky waveguides for spectroscopy.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a micro-spectrometer utilizing a tapered leaky waveguide clad by omnidirectional Bragg reflectors.
- Modeling the device as a side-coupled, tapered Fabry-Perot cavity using an effective-index transfer-matrix model.
- Implementing low numerical aperture optics to mitigate back-reflection and standing waves.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated experimental resolution of approximately 1 nm.
- Achieved an operating bandwidth greater than 100 nm in the 1550 nm range.
- The device has a compact footprint of approximately 50 microm x 500 microm.
Conclusions:
- The developed micro-spectrometer offers a unique combination of small size and high performance.
- It integrates the compactness of Fabry-Perot instruments with the detector compatibility of grating-based systems.
- This technology holds promise for advanced optical sensing and spectral analysis.
