Design and simulation of tunable TE and TM pass polarizers based on VO2/Si hybrid waveguide

Abstract

Active transverse electric and transverse magnetic pass polarizers with lengths of only 1.92 μm and 5.95 μm based on silicon waveguides and phase change material VO2 films are theoretically demonstrated. The optical characteristics of the polarizers are simulated by using finite difference mode simulation. By controlling the phase state of VO2 film, the polarizers can realize the regulation of TE and TM polarizations. The insertion losses of both polarizers are less than 2.2 dB in the insulating state. When trigger to the metallic state, the unwanted polarization attenuation exceeds 21.07 dB while insertion losses are kept below 0.71 dB at a center wavelength of 1550 nm. Both polarizers have a high extinction ratio in the operating bandwidth of 200 nm. This provides a new way for polarizers based on VO2 film and silicon waveguide.