Broad parameter optimization of polarization-diversity 2D grating couplers for silicon photonics

Polarization-diversity couplers, which are designed to couple the unknown polarization state of an optical fiber into the TE-polarized modes of integrated waveguides, are important for the development of practical all-optical circuits. We describe the use of a full 3D finite difference time domain (FDTD) calculation campaign to rigorously optimize the 2D photonic crystal grating that couples a single-mode telecom fiber to the silicon waveguides of a Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) platform. With this approach we identify the unique optimum combination of etch-depth, hole-radius, and grating-pitch of the photonic crystal array for best performance at 1550 nm. The mean (polarization-averaged) coupling efficiency of 48% (-3.2dB) exceeds reported efficiencies of analogous couplers, and has only a marginal dependence on the polarization state of the input fiber (48 ± 3%). In addition, 3D-FDTD calculations are used to characterize the propagation direction, mode-profile, and polarization of light coupled from the fiber into the SOI slab. Such information is crucial for component design and goes beyond previously available results from existing approximations and simulations of 2D-grating coupler performance. Calculations of photonic mode dispersion in the grating coupler, by means of guided-mode expansion, indicate that the coupling is due to an optically active resonant guided mode in the photonic crystal array. This points towards a fast optimization scheme that enhances both the performance and the physical interpretation of 3D-FDTD simulations.