A novel straight arrayed waveguide grating with linearly varying refractive-index distribution

A novel arrayed waveguide grating in which refractive index varies across the array fabricated by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) selective area growth is proposed. The waveguide thickness increases from one end and refractive index increases accordingly and the phase of propagating light in each arrayed waveguide is different. Therefore, straight waveguides are possible, reducing device dimensions and optical propagation losses. As the experimental results, fabrication of sample devices is achieved in a single pass using a MOVPE selective area growth technique and simple wavelength separation of the fabricated devices yielded successful results.