Ultra-compact polarization rotation in integrated silicon photonics using digital metamaterials

作者:Majumder Apratim; Shen Bing; Polson Randy; Menon Rajesh
来源:Optics Express, 2017, 25(17): 19721-19731.
DOI:10.1364/OE.25.019721

摘要

Polarization controlling devices such as polarization splitters and rotators are critical elements in integrated-photonic circuits that function via polarization-diversity schemes. Here, we present the design of an ultra-compact nanophotonic-polarization rotator (NPR) that rotates the polarization state from TE to TM with a simulated extinction ratio of 23dB over a coupling length of 5 mu m and an operating bandwidth of 40nm. This all-silicon device can be fabricated in a single lithography step and we have fabricated and characterized a preliminary device exhibiting 9dB extinction ratio. To emphasize the generality of our methodology, we also designed a NPR that can rotate the polarization state from TM to TE as well. A small device footprint is enabled by the evanescent coupling of guided modes enabled by computationally designed digital metamaterials.

  • 出版日期2017-8-21