Compact SOI-based polarization diversity wavelength de-multiplexer circuit using two symmetric AWGs

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• Telecommunications Technology

Background:

• Wavelength de-multiplexers are crucial components in optical communication systems.
• Compact and efficient de-multiplexers are needed to increase data capacity.
• Silicon photonics offers a scalable platform for integrated optical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a compact 16-channel polarization diversity wavelength de-multiplexer.
• To achieve low insertion loss and crosstalk in a silicon photonic circuit.
• To evaluate the performance of the de-multiplexer concerning polarization-dependent effects.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a de-multiplexer circuit using two silicon Arrayed Waveguide Gratings (AWGs).
• Integration of 2D grating couplers for efficient fiber coupling.
• Characterization of fiber-to-fiber loss, insertion loss, crosstalk, and polarization-dependent performance.

Main Results:

• Achieved a compact 16-channel, 200 GHz de-multiplexer with a footprint of 1400 × 850 μm².
• Estimated fiber-to-fiber loss better than -15.0 dB.
• Observed AWG insertion loss of -2.6 dB and crosstalk of 21.5 dB.
• Measured maximum polarization-dependent wavelength shift of 0.12 nm and polarization-dependent loss between 0.06 dB and 2.32 dB.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated silicon photonic de-multiplexer is compact and efficient.
• The device exhibits low loss and crosstalk, suitable for optical communication.
• Polarization-dependent performance is within acceptable limits for practical applications.