Topology optimised broadband photonic crystal Y-splitter

A planar photonic crystal waveguide Y-splitter that exhibits large-bandwidth low-loss 3 dB splitting for TE-polarised light has been fabricated in silicon-on-insulator material. The high performance is achieved by utilising topology optimisation to design the Y-junction and by using topology optimised low-loss 60° bends. The average excess loss of the entire component is found to be 0.44±0.29 dB for a 100 nm bandwidth, and the excess loss due to the Y-junction is found to be 0.34±0.30 dB in a 175 nm bandwidth.