Title :
Analysis of generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometers for variable-ratio power splitting and optimized switching
Author :
Lagali, Neil S. ; Paiam, Mohammad R. ; MacDonald, Robert I. ; Wörhoff, Kerstin ; Driessen, Alfred
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Alberta Univ., Edmonton, Alta., Canada
fDate :
12/1/1999 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The nonideal integrated optical N×N generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometer (GMZI) employing multimode interference (MMI) couplers is analyzed using transfer matrix techniques. Deviations in the phase relations and the power splitting ratio of the MMI couplers are included in the theory, along with the effects of phase errors in the interferometer arms. The predictions of the theory are compared to the response of a 4×4 GMZI which has been fabricated. The device is operated as both a variable-ratio power splitter and a switch by compensating for the phase errors in the interferometer arms, but the performance is ultimately limited by the nonideal imaging in the MMI couplers. The practicality of these applications is investigated by performing a tolerance analysis for the operation of 1×N power splitters and switches for N up to 10
Keywords :
Mach-Zehnder interferometers; integrated optics; optical beam splitters; optical couplers; optical switches; optimisation; 1×N power splitters; MMI couplers; generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometers; interferometer arms; multimode interference couplers; nonideal imaging; nonideal integrated optical N×N generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometer; optimized switching; phase error compensation; phase errors; phase relations; power splitting ratio; tolerance analysis; transfer matrix techniques; variable-ratio power splitter; variable-ratio power splitting; Arm; Couplers; Integrated optics; Interference; Mach-Zehnder interferometers; Optical crosstalk; Optical interferometry; Optical waveguides; Switches; Transmission line matrix methods;
Journal_Title :
Lightwave Technology, Journal of
