Mode-division (de)multiplexing using adiabatic passage and supersymmetric waveguides

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• Waveguide Technology

Background:

• Mode-division multiplexing (MDM) is crucial for increasing optical communication capacity.
• Existing MDM devices face challenges in efficiency and robustness.
• Novel integrated photonic devices are needed to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and demonstrate an efficient and robust integrated mode-division (de)multiplexer.
• To leverage spatial adiabatic passage and supersymmetric techniques for mode separation.
• To achieve high fidelity mode (de)multiplexing for advanced optical systems.

Main Methods:

• Designing a coupled waveguide structure with specific modal properties.
• Utilizing spatial adiabatic passage for controlled mode excitation and propagation.
• Employing supersymmetric techniques to prevent unwanted mode coupling.
• Engineering waveguide separation along the propagation direction.

Main Results:

• Achieved output fidelities greater than 0.90 across a broad range of parameters.
• Demonstrated successful separation of the fundamental and first excited spatial modes.
• Reached a maximum output fidelity of 0.99 under optimized conditions.
• The device effectively prevents the transfer of the fundamental transverse electric spatial mode.

Conclusions:

• The designed integrated device offers an efficient and robust solution for mode-division (de)multiplexing.
• The combination of spatial adiabatic passage and supersymmetric techniques is effective for high-fidelity mode separation.
• This technology holds significant potential for enhancing information processing capacity in optical communications.