Ultra-compact multimode interference InGaAsP multiple quantum well modulator

We propose a new structure for an ultra-compact multimode interference (MMI) InGaAsP multiple quantum well modulator. The operating principle is based on restricting the coupling of the self-image produced by the MMI region into a single mode output waveguide. The key is to excite only the even modes within the MMI region, and this is achieved by operating the MMI waveguide under the condition of restricted symmetric interference. By asymmetrically inducing a phase change of along a selected area within the MMI region, mode conversion of all the even modes to odd modes is achieved. Since only the fundamental mode can be coupled to the output waveguide, neither an individual mode, nor any combination of the modes will be coupled, and therefore the injected light is fully attenuated. The modulation characteristics are analyzed using the finite-difference beam propagation method. Extinction ratios as low as –37 dB are demonstrated without electro-absorption effects. For the case of low electro-absorption, which corresponds to a more realistic situation, this value is only increased to –35 dB.     

Design and fabrication of a compact multimode interference splitter with silicon photonic nanowires

A compact multimode interference （MMI） splitter with silicon photonic nanowires on silicon-on-insulator （SOI） substrate is designed and fabricated. The footprint of the MMI section is only approximately 3×10 （μm）. The simulation results show that the device may have a low excess loss of 0.04 dB. The transmission loss of the silicon photonics wire is measured to be 0.73±0.3 dB/mm. The compact size and low transmission loss allow the device to be used in ultra-compact photonic integrated circuits. The device exhibits a good light splitting function. In a spectral range of 1549-1560 nm, the excess loss is 1.5 dB and the average imbalance between the two channels is 0.51 dB.     

一种多模干涉耦合器的性能模拟

为减小多模干涉（Multimode Interference ,MMI）耦合器件的尺寸,提出一种多模波导宽度为指数型变化的Taper结构.理论分析了多模波导长度与该Taper结构的参量之间的关系.与已被用于减小MMI器件尺寸的抛物线型Taper结构相比,该结构可进一步减小器件的尺寸.就几种波导结构参量下的MMI耦合器,利用宽角光束传播法进行了数值模拟.结果表明,指数型MMI耦合器的性能与抛物线型MMI耦合器的性能类似.指数型Taper结构可以用于MMI器件以减小该类器件的尺寸.     

Analysis of multiple reflections in hybrid photonic crystal multimode interference coupler

In this paper the analysis of multiple reflections in photonic crystal (PhC) multimode interference (MMI) couplers using eigen-mode expansion method is presented. The analysis is conducted on a hybrid PhC structure which consisted of 1-D PhC multimode waveguide sandwiched between 2-D PhC input/output waveguides. In PhC multimode waveguide, where the mechanism of wave confinement is not due to total internal reflection but due to photonic bandgap properties, the reflectivity at 2-D PhC facet wall would be very large for all the guided modes in the waveguide when ever the image formed due to MMI effect does not coincides with the output access waveguide.     

Design and optimization of novel ultra-compact SOI multimode interference optical switch

In this paper, an ultra-compact 3 × 3 SOI multimode interference optical switch is presented. There is only one hyperbolic multimode waveguide in the switch. By changing the refractive index of one or two parts within the hyperbolic multimode waveguide, the switch can realize on and off functions between any pair of input and output ports. The various states of the switch were simulated and analyzed using the finite difference beam propagation method (FD-BPM), the structure parameters of the switch were also designed and optimized. The optimized switch has excellent properties and the whole size of the switch is less than 4 mm.     

基于多模干涉耦合器的阵列波导光栅设计研究

研究了基于多模干涉(MMI)耦合器的阵列波导光栅(AWG).通过模式传输分析方法,分析了多模干涉耦合器及阵列波导;并给出在硅基底上的二氧化硅波导上四通道100 GHz-AWG普通结构和紧凑结构的设计结果.     

Optimal design for a flat-top AWG demultiplexer by using a fast calculation method based on a Gaussian beam approximation

Passband broadening of an AWG (array waveguide grating) demultiplexer with an MMI (multimode interference) coupler connected at the end of a tapered input waveguide is considered. An explicit formula based on the field propagation of an approximate Hermit-Gaussian beam is used to calculate quickly and reliably the spectral response of the AWG demultiplexer. The widths of the input waveguide, the output waveguides and the MMI coupler are optimized. The optimal design is verified with the experimental measurement.     

一阶模的滤除及在Y分支和多模干涉结构中的应用

Y分支和多模干涉结构广泛应用于平面光波导器件中，在这些器件中，Y分支和多模干涉结构输出对称性具有重要意义。引入Y分支和多模干涉结构输出的不对称主要原因是这两种结构中产生了一阶导模，设计一种新的耦合器结构，在这个结构中．两根单模波导分别放置在一根多模波导两边，并且单模波导的传播常量与多模波导的一阶模的传播常量相同，这种结构可以将一阶导模滤除。在Y分支和多模干涉结构中使用了这种结构，模拟结果表明，采用这种耦合器的Y分支和多模干涉结构具有非常好的输出对称性。     

A Flattened AWG Demultiplexer with Low Chromatic Dispersion

A design method is introduced to obtain a flat-top arrayed-waveguide grating (AWG) demultiplexer with low chromatic dispersion. A multimode interference (MMI) section is connected at the end of the input waveguide, and a tapered waveguide is connected at the entrance of each output waveguide of the AWG demultiplexer. The design procedure is presented. A design example is given and shown to have a much better performance than the conventional flat-top design using only an MMI section. The insertion loss of the designed AWG demultiplexer is also reduced.     

掩埋式多模干涉型分束器的反射性能

通过束传播方法(BPM)模拟了SiO2基掩埋式波导结构多模干涉(MMI)型分束器的反射性能,模拟结果表明,MMI工作在分束模式时存在最优的多模干涉长度实现最大输出和最小反射,而在合束模式下实现最大输出时反射也达到最大,这是由自映象原理决定的。SiO2基掩埋式波导结构MMI分束器对反射具有良好的抑制作用,其最大反射功率为-60dB。分析表明,多模干涉区末端的界面反射率决定了器件的反射强弱,SiO2基掩埋式波导的界面反射率非常低,这是其低反射的原因。     

采用三维波束传输法的多模干涉耦合器成像位置的数值计算

多模干涉(MMI)耦合器需要精确定位成像位置,以便器件的设计制作。针对强限制和弱限制的三维多模波导干涉耦合器,采用三维交替方向隐式有限差分光束传输法(BPM),数值计算得出多模波导长度、输入波导和输出波导位置。首先通过对对称干涉多模干涉耦合器的数值分析求得多模干涉耦合器的等效宽度Weq及最低二阶模之间的拍长Lc,然后将这些参量结合光束传输法直接用于器件设计。计算显示该方法得到的成像位置和导模传输分析法(MPA)的理论预测比较接近,但Weq和Lc却是由光束传输法计算得到的,导模传输分析法理论只能在得到Weq和Lc的前提下才能得到成像位置。该方法直接针对三维波导进行,没有采用基于等效折射率方法的从三维波导到二维波导的简化处理,并且也没有采用导模传输分析法所采用的近似,保证了计算精度,对于实际多模干涉器件的设计制作可起参考作用。     

Analysis of optical rib self-imaging multimode interference (MMI) waveguide devices using the discrete spectral index method

We have developed a semianalytical approach to study the propagation characteristics of multimode interference (MMI) waveguide structures. The effect of transverse crosssection geometry on self-imaging length and optical power throughput are investigated. We present results confirming that the nonquadratic modal dispersion encountered in stripe-loaded waveguides impairs self-imaging performance. Results indicate that the image degradation is more predominant for asymmetrically fed MMI waveguides.     

A novel DWDM interleaver scheme based on phased-array wavelength demultiplexer with multimode interference couplers

A novel integrated dense wavelength division multiplexing interleaver scheme is presented based on phased-array (PHASAR) wavelength demultiplexer with multimode interference (MMI) couplers. MMIPHASAR interleaver with simple structure and compact size can realize narrow channel spacing through simple design procedure. And it is convenient for integration with integrated planar waveguide multiplexer/demultiplexers. A 25/50-GHz MMI-PHASAR interleaver is designed and the transmission characteristic is investigated by beam propagation method.     

Optimal design of multimode interference couplers using an improved self-imaging theory

Self-imaging theory is widely accepted as a good method in designing 1 × N multimode interference (MMI) couplers, but it is also true that self-imaging theory is not suitable for low-contrast structures. An improved self-imaging theory is proposed in this paper for the optimal design of low-contrast 1 × N MMI couplers. The average effective width of MMI waveguide and the average effective propagation constant of MMI waveguide are used as the basis to modify the conventional self-imaging theory. A direct calculation of the average effective width of low-contrast MMIs is presented. We use this approach in the optimal design of a 1 × 4 silica MMI coupler, and the results show that the improved self-imaging theory is more accurate than conventional self-imaging theory for low-contrast structures, the results also show that if the material parameters and the width of an MMI waveguide are fixed, the average effective width of the MMI waveguide will increase with the decrease of the height of the core layer.     

Waveguide lenses with multimode interference for low-loss slab propagation

It is shown that a nearly ideal two-dimensional focusing Gaussian beam can be synthesized by use of a linear combination of the two lowest-order even modes of an optical waveguide. This property can be used to couple laterally guided modes across slab waveguide regions with low loss. The technique is illustrated by use of a conventional multimode interference (MMI) geometry, in which the MMI coupler transforms the fundamental mode of an initial waveguide into a focusing Gaussian beam, which is then fed to a slab region. Two-dimensional beam propagation simulations show that the beam does not initially diverge in the slab region, but rather comes to a focus. A second MMI coupler then transforms the diverging beam back to the initial mode. A structure is designed that can couple the fundamental mode of a 9-microm-wide waveguide across an 88-microm-long slab region with only a 0.036-dB loss. This technique can be applied to improve the performance of small-angle waveguide crossings and integrated turning mirrors.     

一种新型SOI Mach-Zehnder干涉型电光调制器的设计

在超紧缩双曲锥形3dB多模干涉耦合器的基础上,设计了一种新的Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) Mach-Zehnder干涉型电光调制器.与传统的Y分支器相比,双曲锥形3dB耦合器的制作容差大,而长度缩短了近30%,使得整个器件的尺寸大幅减小.调制区采用横向注入的PIN结构,模拟结果表明:当外加偏压为0.86V时,器件的调制深度最大,此时注入电流为13.2mA,对应的器件功耗为11.4mW.     

基于Si3N4/SiNx/Si3N4三明治结构的偏振无关1×2多模干涉型解复用器的设计

提出一种基于Si3N4/SiNx/Si3N4三明治结构多模干涉波导的偏振无关1×2解复用器,用于分离1310和1550 nm两个波长.通过合理选择三明治结构中间层SiNx的折射率,可以调节同一波长两个正交偏振态的拍长相等,实现偏振无关;根据多模干涉原理,通过合理选择多模干涉波导的长度与宽度,可以使两个波长的输出像点分别成正像和反像,实现解复用功能.运用三维有限时域差分法进行建模仿真,对结构参数进行优化,并对器件关键结构参数的制作容差进行了分析.结果表明:该器件多模干涉波导的尺寸为4.6μm×227.7μm,插入损耗低至0.18dB,输出波导间的串扰低至–25.7dB, 3dB带宽可达60 nm.另外,本文提出的器件采用Si3N4/SiO2平台,可有效减小波导尺寸,提高集成度,不仅实现了偏振无关,而且结构紧凑、损耗低,在未来的集成光路中具有潜在的应用价值.     

Relaxed fabrication tolerance for self-imaging photonic crystal waveguide splitters using a tapered multimode interference region

The power imbalance between different waveguide outputs is compensated by manipulating the dispersion of the guided propagation in the multimode interference (MMI) region. This is attainable using a tapered region at the beginning of the MMI region that has been verified through simulation and experiment. From this, the fabrication tolerance for the diameters of holes in a tapered 1×3 photonic crystal waveguide (PhCW) splitter is relaxed up to a range of at least 27 nm. The output power is well-balanced to within 1 dB. The effective bandwidth of the splitters shifts only around 13 nm, for a reduction of 10 nm in the diameter of the PhCW holes. The optimized component is an outstanding ultracompact 1×3 splitter for the photonic integrated circuit (PIC).     

一种基于多模干涉耦合器的模转换与合并器件的设计

多模波导干涉（MMI）耦合器在集成光路中被用来实现波导模式的转换或合并。对于实际的基于硅绝缘体（SOI）的三维波导，数值设计方法是必需的。采用有限差分波束传输法（FD-BPM）设计了一种66％模式转换、合并器。首先由FD-BPM求出MMI耦合器的输入、输出波导所支持的基模和一阶导模的模场分布，通过数值方法得到MMI耦合器的长度，然后将求得的模场作为输入波场，经过FD-BPM运算后在器件输出面上计算交叉积分得出实际的由基模转换为一阶模的功率百分比。对于算例中采用的SOI波导，器件长度为829μm，65．7％的功率由基模转换为一阶模。     

基于多模干涉耦合器的集成热光开关实验研究

报道了一种基于多模干涉(MMI)耦合器的马赫曾德尔干涉仪(MZI)型2×2集成热光开关的实验研究结果,插损为3.40 dB,偏振相关损耗为0.47 dB,直通和交叉状态消光比分别为32.01 dB和16.42 dB,响应时间小于3 ms,开关功耗为658 mW。针对直通和交叉状态消光比不对称的现象,从理论上做出了解释,因为半导体平面光波电路(PLC)工艺一致性较好,两个多模干涉耦合器的分光比虽然因工艺误差偏离50∶50,但误差量相近,这个特点对光开关直通和交叉状态的消光比产生了不同影响。分析了在波导上制作加热电极对波导有效折射率的影响,估算其增量在2×10-4量级。