Polarization rotation in semiconductor bending waveguides: a coupled-mode theory formulation

Abstract

A theoretical model for the bending waveguide polarization rotator has been developed based on the full-vectorial wave equations and the coupled-mode theory. Calculation results from this model are found to agree favorably with measurement data reported in literature. It is found that the polarization conversion efficiency of this device hinges on the degree of asymmetry of the cross-sectional field profile with respect to both the x- and y-axes. Sensitivity analysis, furthermore, revealed that the device characteristics are strongly dependent on the waveguide geometry, in particular, the sidewall tilt angle and the amount of over-etch of the ridge waveguide. Finally, it is also found that the bending waveguide polarization rotator is virtually wavelength independent, making it suitable for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications.