Single-leakage-channel grating couplers: comparison of theoretical and experimental branching ratios

Fabrication and characterization of a waveguide grating that is highly efficient in producing a single channel of output-coupled light are described. The thin-film assembly consisted of a waveguide-grating system fabricated upon a highly reflecting dielectric stack and isolated by a thick buffer layer. This single-leakage-channel grating coupler utilized the reflectance of the dielectric stack to redirect the light output coupled toward the substrate back into air, where it constructively interfered with light initially output coupled into air. Measured branching ratios were compared with values predicted by a rigorous computer model and agreed to within 2%. Experimental branching ratio values exceeding 98% were obtained.