PLC-Based LP₁₁ Mode Rotator With Curved Trench Structure Devised From Wavefront Matching Method

Abstract

Abstract-A compact and low-loss PLC-based mode rotator is proposed. The mode rotator with curved trench structure is designed based on the wavefront matching method, which is an optimization algorithm based on the beam propagation method. The proposed mode rotator is 45% in size (1.0 mm) and has lower loss (1/5) compared with the conventional structure that has a straight trench. Furthermore, the proposed mode rotator can achieve low mode crosstalk. Index Terms-Mode multi/demultiplexer, PLC, WFM method

PLC-Based Polymer/Silica Hybrid Inverted Ridge LP11 Mode Rotator

“…In [ 18 ], a silica-based rotator is experimentally demonstrated to benefit from mature fabrication techniques. To further optimize device performance, optimization algorithms are used in [ 19 ]. However, the introduction of a trench increases the complexity of fabrication.…”

“…Here, we define the LP 11a mode as the mode with two intensity peaks in the plane and the LP 11b mode as the mode with two intensity peaks in the vertical direction. To address this issue, various methods have been proposed and experimentally validated, such as mode rotators [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], vertical asymmetric directional couplers [ 25 , 26 , 27 ], horizontal directional couplers formed with waveguides of different heights [ 28 ], and degenerate-mode-selective couplers [ 29 ]. Polymer-based planar light-wave circuits (PLCs) offer a simple, low-cost, and flexible fabrication process [ 30 , 31 , 32 ] compared to silica and silicon.…”

A Review of PLC-Based Broadband Two-Mode Multi/Demultiplexer Designed by Wavefront Matching Method

“…It should be noted that WFM method can be applied to operations for higher order modes. The design of mode rotator by WFM method has also been reported [14]. The simulation Copyright c 2018 The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers results show the optimization for the conversion between LP 11a and LP 11b modes without affecting LP 01 mode.…”