High-index-contrast bend structures for microphotonics

Summary form only given. Bending or redirecting light beams is a crucial enabling function for passive integrated optical circuits. The efficiency and scaling properties of bends control the size and, therefore, the practicality of optical integration. In this talk, a review and comparison of the various design options for fabricating high-efficiency bends in high-index-contrast, integrated optical materials. Bend or "turning" designs using measured results with devices fabricated in the silicon-on-insulator material system are illustrated. The computational work has typically been done using FTDT. Particularly, this study compares two types of 90° bending mirror over a range of dimensions for using simulation and experiments. Results show that etched turning mirrors, which are also one of the earliest solutions to 90° bends, are one of the easiest and most efficient to implement. More advanced active devices for angular deflection are also examined and discussed.