On the radiation mode effects in integrated optical directional couplers

In this work we study the effect of radiation modes generated at the input of a directional coupler on its performance. We focus on the splitting ratio and the coupling length of the coupler. The Beam Propagation Method (BPM) is used for numerical simulation. Numerical results are compared to analytical expectations of the coupled mode theory (CMT). We show that, when the coupler is excited by a single mode fibre, ideal 3 dB couplers could be obtained by a simple adjustment of the exciting fibre. On the other hand, when the coupler has input and output bend structures, its coupling length as well as its splitting ratio are affected by the geometry of this bend.