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Rotating polarization using Berry's phase in asymmetric silicon strip waveguides
Optics Letters
|March 2, 2019
Summary
Curvilinear waveguides use Berry's phase to control optical polarization. A new method overcomes waveguide asymmetry, achieving 90-degree polarization rotation for integrated photonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Integrated Optics
- Waveguide Technology
Background:
- Light in curvilinear waveguides gains Berry's phase, rotating optical polarization.
- This effect is key for waveguide polarization controllers.
- Waveguide asymmetry in high index contrast platforms limits polarization rotation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a method for periodic spatial modulation of Berry's phase.
- To achieve 90-degree polarization rotation despite waveguide asymmetry.
- To demonstrate a polarization conversion technique for silicon-on-insulator waveguides.
Main Methods:
- Numerical modeling using Jones calculus.
- Simulation of asymmetric silicon waveguides (303×300 nm²).
- Periodic spatial modulation of Berry's phase.
Main Results:
- Achieved 90-degree polarization rotation in asymmetric waveguides.
- Demonstrated polarization conversion from transverse electric to transverse magnetic.
- Obtained a polarization extinction ratio (PER) > 20 dB.
- Achieved broadband operation over 100 nm bandwidth.
- Utilized a compact footprint (110×240 μm²).
Conclusions:
- Periodic modulation of Berry's phase effectively overcomes waveguide asymmetry.
- The proposed method enables efficient polarization control in integrated photonic circuits.
- This approach is suitable for silicon-on-insulator platforms and offers broadband performance.
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