Particle swarm optimization of silicon photonic crystal waveguide transition

Slow light generated through silicon (Si) photonic crystal waveguides (PCWs) is useful for improving the performance of Si photonic devices. However, the accumulation of coupling loss between a PCW and Si optical wiring waveguides is a problem when slow-light devices are connected in a series in a photonic integrated circuit. Previously, we reported a tapered transition structure between these waveguides and observed a coupling loss of 0.46 dB per transition. This Letter employed particle swarm optimization to engineer the arrangement of photonic crystal holes to reduce loss and succeeded in demonstrating theoretical loss value of 0.12 dB on average in the wavelength range of 1540-1560 nm and an experimental one of 0.21 dB. Crucially, this structure enhances the versatility of slow light.