Compact and low-loss arrayed waveguide grating module with tolerancerelaxed spot-size converter

A compact, low-loss arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) module was achieved by adopting a novel optical spot-size converter (SSC) to planar lightwave circuits (PLCs). The SSC is a laterally tapered waveguide that can be fabricated simply by the conventional fabrication process. The structure is composed of a core width converting region where the spot-size is converted efficiently, and a core width fine-tuning region where the cut-position tolerance is relaxed. We have applied this structure to a 1.5%-(delta) silica-based waveguides and reduced the single-mode fiber coupling loss to less than 0.5 dB/point. The SSC provides a large cut-position tolerance that enables angle polishing of the PLC endfaces to prevent reflection and low-loss connection of pigtail fibers. The center channel insertion loss of the AWG module was reduced from 4.2 to 2.2 dB, and the reflection was less than -60 dB.