Cross-polarization generation and its impact on coupler performance

Author

Wang, Tairan ; Khan, M. Jalal ; Viens, Jeff ; Lim, Mike ; Fried, Dale ; Foresi, Jim ; Ulu, Gokhan ; Agarwal, Anu

Author_Institution

Clarendon Photonics Inc., Newton, MA

Volume

12

Issue

4

fYear

2006

Firstpage

751

Lastpage

759

Abstract

In high index contrast integrated optic waveguides, it has been found that waveguide asymmetries can produce cross-polarization coupling. This effect has been well studied for polarization rotation. A similar effect, as produced by fabrication-induced asymmetry, can significantly limit the performance of directional couplers. In this paper, we analyze the effect, propose a method to circumvent these manufacturing-related limitations, and demonstrate an improvement of the extinction ratio from 25 to 40 dB level

Keywords

integrated optics; light polarisation; optical directional couplers; optical waveguides; cross-polarization generation; directional coupler; extinction ratio; integrated optics; polarization rotation; waveguide asymmetries; Coupling circuits; Directional couplers; Extinction ratio; Optical attenuators; Optical coupling; Optical filters; Optical interferometry; Optical polarization; Optical waveguides; Photonics; Directional coupler; integrated photonics; polarization;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1077-260X

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JSTQE.2006.876334

Filename

1668119