Compact Three-Dimensional Polymer Waveguide Mode Multiplexer

Jiangli Dong, Kin Seng Chiang, Wei Jin

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

81 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We propose a compact three-dimensional waveguide mode (de)multiplexer based on the configuration of two collocated asymmetrical directional couplers, formed with two dissimilar single-mode cores placed alongside a central rectangular three-mode core in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. The waveguides are designed to allow the LP11aand LP11bmodes of the central core to completely couple to the LP01modes of the two side cores, respectively, with the LP01mode staying in the central core, which is tapered down at one end to strip off any remaining LP11modes. We fabricate the device with polymer materials by the conventional microfabrication process. A typical fabricated device, which has a total length of 9.0 mm, shows coupling ratios varying from 91% to 99% for the two LP11modes, and crosstalks among the modes in the side cores varying from -23.2 to -14.6 dB in the wavelength range 1530-1570 nm (the C-band). The crosstalks in the central core are negligible. The insertion loss of the device with fiber leads is about 10 dB and the mode-dependent loss is about ±1 dB. The performance of the device is weakly sensitive to the polarization state of light and insensitive to temperature variations. This device can be used in broadband mode-division-multiplexing transmission systems based on few-mode fibers.
Original languageEnglish
Article number7268783
Pages (from-to)4580-4588
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Lightwave Technology
Volume33
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Nov 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Integrated optics
  • multiplexing
  • optical planar waveguide coupler
  • optical polymer
  • optical waveguide component

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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