Add/Drop Mode-Division Multiplexer Based on a Mach–Zehnder Interferometer and Periodic Waveguides

Author

Perez-Galacho, D. ; Marris-Morini, D. ; Ortega-Monux, A. ; Wanguemert-Perez, J.G. ; Vivien, L.

Author_Institution

Inst. d´Electron. Fondamentale, Univ. Paris-Sud, Orsay, France

Volume

7

Issue

4

fYear

2015

fDate

Aug. 2015

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

7

Abstract

Mode-division multiplexing (MDM) is currently under study due to its potential to further increase data rates in optical communication circuits. In this paper, we propose an add/drop MDM for the first- and second-order modes that cover the whole C-Band (1.53-1.57 μm). The device is based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, including periodic waveguides in the arms. Mode selectivity is provided by means of the periodic waveguides, which are designed to allow the propagation of the second mode and to reflect the first mode. The proposed device exhibits less than 1 dB insertion loss and more than 30 dB extinction ratio in the whole C-Band. Furthermore, it presents wide fabrication tolerances.

Keywords

Mach-Zehnder interferometers; integrated optics; multiplexing equipment; optical communication equipment; optical design techniques; optical fabrication; optical losses; optical waveguides; C-Band; MDM; Mach-Zehnder interferometer; add/drop mode-division multiplexer; fabrication tolerances; first-order modes; insertion loss; mode selectivity; optical communication circuits; periodic waveguides; second-order modes; wavelength 1.53 mum to 1.57 mum; Bandwidth; Bridges; Couplers; Multiplexing; Optical fiber communication; Optical waveguides; Ports (Computers); Bragg grating; Mode-division multiplexing; periodic waveguides; subwavelength grating;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Photonics Journal, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1943-0655

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JPHOT.2015.2446765

Filename

7147861