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On-chip optical mode exchange using tapered directional coupler
Zhonglai Zhang1, Xiao Hu1, Jian Wang1
1Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China.
Scientific Reports
|November 5, 2015
Summary
We demonstrate efficient optical mode exchange on silicon chips using tapered directional couplers. This compact device enables multiplexing and exchanging higher-order modes with low loss and high extinction ratios.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Integrated Optics
- Silicon Photonics
Background:
- Optical mode manipulation is crucial for advanced photonic integrated circuits.
- Efficiently exchanging multiplexed optical modes is a key challenge in silicon photonics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a compact on-chip device for optical mode exchange.
- To achieve efficient higher-order mode excitation and exchange using tapered directional couplers.
Main Methods:
- Design and simulation of tapered directional couplers on a silicon-on-insulator platform.
- Integration of mode multiplexing and mode exchange functionalities into a single compact device.
Main Results:
- Efficient excitation and exchange of higher-order optical modes were simulated.
- Achieved low excess loss (< 0.5 dB) and high extinction ratio (> 15 dB).
- Demonstrated performance over a 10 nm wavelength range (1535-1545 nm).
Conclusions:
- The proposed device offers a compact and fabrication-tolerant solution for optical mode exchange.
- The demonstrated performance is suitable for various integrated photonic applications.
- Tapered directional couplers are effective for on-chip optical mode manipulation.
