Compact Mach-Zehnder interferometer based on self-collimation of light in a silicon photonic crystal

Abstract

Abstract:We demonstrate a compact silicon photonic crystal MachZehnder interferometer operating in the self-collimation regime. By tailoring the photonic band structure such as to produce self-collimated beams, it is possible to design beam splitters and mirrors and combine these to a 20 × 20 µm 2 format. With transmission spectroscopy we find a pronounced unidirectional optical output, the output ratio being as high as 25 at the self-collimation wavelength. Furthermore, the self-collimated beams and the unidirectionality are clearly observed in real space using near-field and far-field optical microscopy. Interpretation of the optical data is strongly supported by different types of simulations. for propagation of electromagnetic fields within an arbitrary photonic structure, which allows one to compute a steady state response for a single frequency. For further reference see [16]. ©2010 Optical Society of America

Silicon Photonic Crystals Towards Optical Integration

“…Self-collimation effect is the propagation of light without diffraction along the propagation direction. This phenomenon has been used to construct non-channel waveguides, beam splitters and beam combiners [47,48]. The behaviors of these devices are determined by the performance of the self-collimation effect.…”

A novel beam splitter based on graded photonic crystals

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Beam-splitting structures are the key building blocks in optical integration devices, so numerous beam-splitting structures based on PCs have been presented. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Several methods have been studied to realize the beam-splitting phenomenon, including photonic band gap, 10,19,20 directional coupling, 11,14,15 defects 12 and self-collimation. 13,16,17 However, the splitting efficiencies achieved by these methods are low, and the splitting ratio cannot be changed discretionarily.…”

“…[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Several methods have been studied to realize the beam-splitting phenomenon, including photonic band gap, 10,19,20 directional coupling, 11,14,15 defects 12 and self-collimation. 13,16,17 However, the splitting efficiencies achieved by these methods are low, and the splitting ratio cannot be changed discretionarily. Ren et al 22 designed a Y-shaped beam splitter by combining the self-collimation effect with structural gradient of PCs, wherein the input beam was divided into two output beams using two combined graded photonic crystals (GPCs).…”

Polarization-independent Fabry–Perot interferometer in a hole-type silicon photonic crystal

“…These properties greatly simplify the structures of PhC devices and thus make them convenient for integration. Various PhC filters based on the SC effect have been theoretically and experimentally demonstrated [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Recently, some FPIs based on the SC effect have been proposed [10,11].…”