Title :
A new design approach to large input/output-number multimode interference (MMI) couplers and its WDM applications
Author :
Huang, J.Z. ; Scarmozzino, R. ; Osgood, R.M., Jr.
Author_Institution :
Microelectron. Sci. Lab., Columbia Univ., New York, NY, USA
Abstract :
Photonic integrated circuits based on MMI couplers have been implemented for a variety of optical signal processing functions. However, it is difficult to obtain high-performance for N×N MMI couplers with large N due to the modal phase errors in self-imaging. For example, MMI-based phased-array (PHASAR) demultiplexers are of interest because of their application to WDM systems. One important factor that limits the crosstalk of these MMI-PHASARs is the performance degradation of N×N MMI couplers due to modal phase errors. In this study, a new design approach by optimizing the index-contrast to reduce phase error is described which yields a device design with extremely low imbalance and insertion loss
Keywords :
demultiplexing equipment; integrated optics; integrated optoelectronics; light interference; measurement errors; optical communication equipment; optical couplers; optical design techniques; optimisation; wavelength division multiplexing; MMI couplers; MMI-based phased-array demultiplexers; N×N MMI couplers; PHASAR demultiplexers; WDM applications; crosstalk; design approach; device design; high-performance; index-contrast; insertion loss; large input/output-number multimode interference couplers; low imbalance; modal phase errors; optical signal processing functions; performance degradation; phase error; photonic integrated circuits; self-imaging; Couplers; Crosstalk; Design optimization; Error analysis; Insertion loss; Interference; Optical imaging; Optical waveguides; Phased arrays; Wavelength division multiplexing;
Conference_Titel :
Lasers and Electro-Optics Society Annual Meeting, 1998. LEOS '98. IEEE
Conference_Location :
Orlando, FL
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-4947-4
DOI :
10.1109/LEOS.1998.737865
