Analysis of generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometers for variable-ratio power splitting and optimized switching

Author

Lagali, Neil S. ; Paiam, Mohammad R. ; MacDonald, Robert I. ; Wörhoff, Kerstin ; Driessen, Alfred

Author_Institution

Dept. of Electr. Eng., Alberta Univ., Edmonton, Alta., Canada

Volume

17

Issue

12

fYear

1999

fDate

12/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

2542

Lastpage

2550

Abstract

The nonideal integrated optical N×N generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometer (GMZI) employing multimode interference (MMI) couplers is analyzed using transfer matrix techniques. Deviations in the phase relations and the power splitting ratio of the MMI couplers are included in the theory, along with the effects of phase errors in the interferometer arms. The predictions of the theory are compared to the response of a 4×4 GMZI which has been fabricated. The device is operated as both a variable-ratio power splitter and a switch by compensating for the phase errors in the interferometer arms, but the performance is ultimately limited by the nonideal imaging in the MMI couplers. The practicality of these applications is investigated by performing a tolerance analysis for the operation of 1×N power splitters and switches for N up to 10

Keywords

Mach-Zehnder interferometers; integrated optics; optical beam splitters; optical couplers; optical switches; optimisation; 1×N power splitters; MMI couplers; generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometers; interferometer arms; multimode interference couplers; nonideal imaging; nonideal integrated optical N×N generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometer; optimized switching; phase error compensation; phase errors; phase relations; power splitting ratio; tolerance analysis; transfer matrix techniques; variable-ratio power splitter; variable-ratio power splitting; Arm; Couplers; Integrated optics; Interference; Mach-Zehnder interferometers; Optical crosstalk; Optical interferometry; Optical waveguides; Switches; Transmission line matrix methods;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.809675

Filename

809675