On-chip reconfigurable and scalable optical mode multiplexer/demultiplexer based on three-waveguide-coupling...

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• Optical Communication

Background:

• Reconfigurable optical devices are crucial for flexible and complex on-chip optical networks.
• Existing solutions often face limitations in bandwidth or scalability.
• Mode multiplexing/demultiplexing is key for increasing optical network capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a reconfigurable and scalable optical mode multiplexer/demultiplexer.
• To achieve a large operation bandwidth for enhanced network performance.
• To validate the device's functionality for high-speed data transmission.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing three-waveguide-coupling structures for device design.
• Fabricating a proof-of-concept device for multiplexing fundamental and first-order quasi-transverse electric modes.
• Characterizing static response spectra and dynamic performance.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a reconfigurable device capable of multiplexing optical signals.
• Achieved optical crosstalk below -14.3 dB across the C band (> 40 nm).
• Successfully demonstrated dynamic performance at data transmission speeds of 40 Gbps per channel.

Conclusions:

• The proposed device offers a reconfigurable and scalable solution for on-chip optical networks.
• The device exhibits excellent performance in terms of crosstalk and bandwidth.
• It presents a promising candidate for future large-scale, flexible, and cost-effective optical integration.