Title :
Novel approach to design high-performance large-port-count switches in low-index-contrast materials based on cascaded multimode interference couplers
Author :
Jin, Zhe ; Kaalund, Christopher J. ; Peng, Gangding
Author_Institution :
Photonics & Opt. Commun. Group, Univ. of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Abstract :
Using a novel design approach, high-performance large-port-count switches based on cascaded multimode interference (MMI) couplers are shown to be feasible in low-index-contrast materials. This approach combines the transfer matrix method, optimization of the MMI dimensions, and mode propagation analysis (MPA) for calculation of phase shifts. 1×4, 1×8, 1×16, and 1×32 switches are designed, with insertion losses of 1 dB and crosstalk as low as -31.7 dB. Also, it is shown that this approach can balance the losses for different switch states.
Keywords :
integrated optics; light interference; optical couplers; optical crosstalk; optical design techniques; optical losses; optical switches; refractive index; transfer function matrices; cascaded multimode interference couplers; crosstalk; insertion losses; large-port-count switches; low-index-contrast materials; mode propagation analysis; phase shift calculation; transfer matrix method; Arm; Couplers; Insertion loss; Interference; Optical losses; Optical switches; Optical waveguides; Propagation losses; Symmetric matrices; Transmission line matrix methods; Multimode interference (MMI) couplers; optical signal processing; optical switches; photonic integrated circuits; silica waveguides;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JQE.2005.857707
