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Ultra-broadband and compact mode conversion by controlling the propagation path with a micro-slot embedded in a
Optics Letters
|May 15, 2026
Summary
This study presents a compact ultra-broadband mode converter using a multimode interferometer with a micro-slot. This device efficiently converts optical modes for advanced signal processing applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optical Engineering
- Integrated Optics
- Waveguide Devices
Background:
- Mode converters are crucial for optical signal processing.
- Existing devices often lack ultra-broadband operation or compactness.
- Precise control over lateral mode phase evolution is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an ultra-broadband and compact mode converter.
- To achieve efficient conversion between specific optical modes (E11 and E21).
- To offer a robust and CMOS-compatible solution for high-order mode manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a multimode interferometer (MMI) with an embedded micro-slot.
- Designing a fiber-compatible polymer platform.
- Fabricating a device with a 2700 µm MMI length and a micro-slot of 100 × 14 × 5 µm³.
Main Results:
- Achieved efficient E11 to E21 mode conversion with >92% efficiency.
- Demonstrated modal crosstalk below -11 dB across O, C+L bands and beyond.
- Maintained high performance with large device fabrication tolerance.
Conclusions:
- The proposed micro-slot embedded MMI is a high-performance mode converter.
- The device offers a robust, CMOS-compatible solution for ultra-broadband mode manipulation.
- This technology is suitable for advanced optical signal processing requiring high-order modes.
