Title :
A new design for ultracompact multimode interference-based 2 x 2 couplers
Author :
Levy, David S. ; Scarmozzino, Robert ; Li, York M. ; Osgood, Richard M., Jr.
Author_Institution :
Microelectron. Sci. Lab., Columbia Univ., New York, NY, USA
Abstract :
We introduce here a new multimode interference-based 3-dB coupler that has a substantially smaller device geometry than conventional multimode interference structures. This new structure is based on a special multimode region shape and an appropriate launching technique which aids in circumventing the proximity limitations. Simulations show this structure can provide a decrease of a factor of three or more in the device size of the smallest 3-dB MMI coupler made to date.
Keywords :
geometry; integrated optics; light interference; optical couplers; optical design techniques; optical waveguide theory; MMI coupler; device geometry; device size; launching technique; multimode interference structures; multimode region shape; proximity limitations; ultracompact multimode interference-based 2/spl times/2 coupler design; Circuit simulation; Couplers; Geometry; Integrated optics; Interference; Optical imaging; Optical waveguides; Planar waveguides; Shape; Waveguide discontinuities;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
