Design and fabrication of monolithic optical spot size transformers (MOSTs) for highly efficient fiber-chip coupling

Author

Wenger, Gundolf ; Stoll, Lothar ; Weiss, Bernhard ; Schienle, Meinrad ; Müller-Nawrath, Rita ; Eichinger, Sepp ; Müller, Jürgen ; Acklin, Bruno ; Müller, Gustav

Author_Institution

Inst. fur Experimentalphys., Karl-Franzens-Univ., Graz, Austria

Volume

12

Issue

10

fYear

1994

fDate

10/1/1994 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1782

Lastpage

1790

Abstract

A novel type of monolithic optical spot size transformer realized in the InP/InGaAsP material system combines many desirable features like high fiber-chip coupling efficiency, large spot size transformation, high tolerances for fiber alignment, simple fabrication, and straightforward integrability with other devices. The spot size transformation is accomplished by two waveguide sections tapered in the vertical and lateral directions, respectively. We discuss design issues, describe the fabrication process, give experimental results, and present the monolithic integration of the spot size transformers with a current controlled directional coupler switch

Keywords

III-V semiconductors; directional couplers; gallium arsenide; indium compounds; integrated optics; integrated optoelectronics; optical communication equipment; optical couplers; optical fibres; optical switches; optical waveguides; optical workshop techniques; InP-InGaAsP; InP/InGaAsP material system; MOSTs; current controlled directional coupler switch; design issues; fabrication; fabrication process; fiber alignment; high fiber-chip coupling efficiency; high tolerances; highly efficient fiber-chip coupling; integrability; large spot size transformation; lateral direction; monolithic integration; monolithic optical spot size transformer; monolithic optical spot size transformers; spot size transformers; vertical direction; waveguide section tapers; Indium phosphide; Monolithic integrated circuits; Optical coupling; Optical design; Optical device fabrication; Optical devices; Optical fiber devices; Optical materials; Optical waveguides; Transformers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.337491

Filename

337491