Title :
Elimination of polarization sensitivity in silica-based wavelength division multiplexer using a polyimide half waveplate
Author :
Inoue, Yasuyuki ; Takahashi, Hiroshi ; Ando, Shinji ; Sawada, Takashi ; Himeno, Akira ; Kawachi, Masao
Author_Institution :
NTT Opto-Electron. Labs., Ibaraki, Japan
fDate :
10/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
This paper proposes a low-loss technique for eliminating polarization sensitivity in a silica-based planar lightwave circuit (PLC) which uses a polarization mode converter formed at the center of the circuit. This converter consists of a waveguide gap housing a polyimide half waveplate. The excess loss of the converter was drastically reduced to 0.26 dB with a Δ=0.75% waveguide by employing an 18 μm-wide waveguide gap and a 14.5 μm-thick polyimide half waveplate. A polarization mode conversion crosstalk of -37 dB was achieved at 1.55 μm. Using this converter, we successfully eliminated the polarization sensitivity in some silica-based PLC-type wavelength division multiplexers. The converter is also insensitive to temperature and offers long term stability
Keywords :
integrated optics; integrated optoelectronics; light polarisation; multiplexing equipment; optical communication equipment; optical crosstalk; optical elements; optical losses; optical polarisers; optical polymers; sensitivity; silicon compounds; stability; wavelength division multiplexing; 1.55 mum; 14.5 mum; excess loss; long term stability; low-loss technique; polarization mode conversion crosstalk; polarization mode converter; polarization sensitivity; polyimide half waveplate; silica-based PLC-type wavelength division multiplexers; silica-based planar lightwave circuit; silica-based wavelength division multiplexer; waveguide gap; Circuits; Crosstalk; Optical polarization; Optical retarders; Polyimides; Programmable control; Temperature sensors; Waveguide discontinuities; Wavelength converters; Wavelength division multiplexing;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
