Asymmetric multimode interference isolator based on nonreciprocal phase shift

This paper presents an asymmetric multimode interference-based (MMI) optical isolator, by utilizing the magneto-optical nonreciprocal phase shift (NPS). Equivalent beam propagation method (BPM) simulation of symmetric and asymmetric isolators are performed using configuration of Air/Ce:YIG/SiO₂ on silicon substrate for integration. The asymmetric isolator is found to be much more compact in size and efficient in isolation compared with symmetric isolator. Simulation results show that the isolation of asymmetric structure is 23.8 dB higher than that of symmetric one. It is mainly because both symmetric mode and anti-symmetric mode are excited in asymmetric structure and hence can interfere destructively. The proposed device may play an important role in the optical communication systems and photonic integrated devices.