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5-Channel Polymer/Silica Hybrid Arrayed Waveguide Grating
Sheng-Rui Zhang1, Yue-Xin Yin2, Zi-Yue Lv1
1Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics and School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
Polymers
|March 14, 2020
Summary
A novel 5-channel polymer/silica hybrid arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) was developed for optical communications. This cost-effective device operates across the O-band, showing promising low insertion loss and crosstalk for multi-channel applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) are crucial for wavelength division multiplexing in optical networks.
- Existing AWG fabrication methods can be complex and costly.
- The O-band (1260-1360 nm) is a key spectral region for optical communication systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a novel 5-channel polymer/silica hybrid AWG.
- To achieve fabrication through a simple and low-cost microfabrication process.
- To validate performance metrics including insertion loss and crosstalk for O-band operation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a polymer/silica hybrid material structure.
- Design and implementation of a 5-channel arrayed waveguide grating.
- Characterization of optical performance, including insertion loss and crosstalk, across the O-band.
Main Results:
- The proposed AWG covers the entire O-band (1260-1360 nm).
- Simulated insertion loss is below 4.7 dB, with crosstalk below -28 dB within the 3-dB bandwidth.
- Experimental fiber-to-fiber insertion loss is below 14.0 dB, and channel crosstalk is less than -13.0 dB.
Conclusions:
- The developed polymer/silica hybrid AWG offers a cost-effective solution for optical communications.
- The device exhibits suitable performance for O-band optical communication systems.
- Potential applications extend to multi-channel sensing systems due to its spectral characteristics.
