New 2×2 and 1×3 multimode interference couplers with free selection of power splitting ratios

Author

Besse, Pierre A. ; Gini, Emilio ; Bachmann, Maurus ; Melchior, Hans

Author_Institution

Inst. of Quantum Electron., Eidgenossische Tech. Hochschule, Zurich, Switzerland

Volume

14

Issue

10

fYear

1996

fDate

10/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

2286

Lastpage

2293

Abstract

We report on the concept and realization of new 2×2 and 1×3 multimode interference (MMI) couplers that offer the possibility of a free choice of the power splitting ratio. These MMI devices, using a new butterfly geometrical design, are compact, polarization-insensitive, and tolerant to fabrication parameters. Realized in InGaAsP/InP with large fabrication tolerances, they permit the control of the output powers within a few percentage points for both polarizations. The measurement results fit well the theoretical predictions. Extensions of the design are presented that assure a fully symmetrical geometry and therefore an optimal homogeneity of the device characteristics. Based on the same idea, a new compact mode converter-combiner is proposed

Keywords

III-V semiconductors; gallium arsenide; indium compounds; integrated optics; light interference; light polarisation; optical couplers; optical fabrication; optical waveguide components; 1 times 3 coupler; 1×3 multimode interference couplers; 2 times 2 coupler; 2×2 multimode interference couplers; InGaAsP-InP; InGaAsP/InP; butterfly geometrical design; compact mode converter-combiner; compact polarization-insensitive MMI devices; design; fabrication parameters; fully symmetrical geometry; large fabrication tolerances; optimal homogeneity; output powers; polarizations; power splitting ratios free selection; Couplers; Fabrication; Geometrical optics; Integrated optics; Interference; Nonlinear optical devices; Nonlinear optics; Optical waveguides; Polarization; Ring lasers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/50.541220

Filename

541220