Abstract
An ultracompact and broadband silicon-based polarization-independent power splitter is proposed by utilizing a multimode waveguide with a shallowly etched tapered slot. For input TM mode, it is divided into two beams via adiabatic mode evolution, since it cannot be well supported in the etched region, analogous to a Y-branch, and then propagates through two output channels. As to the input TE mode, unaffected by the shallowly etched slot, a twofold image is formed via self-imaging effect, corresponding to a normal multimode interference coupler, and then equally divided into two output channels. As a result, power splitting for both polarizations is realized simultaneously. Results show that there is an insertion loss of < 0.4 d B (0.2 dB) and a reflection loss of < − 25 d B ( − 35 d B ) for the TE (TM) polarization over the broad wavelength range of 1310 to 1870 nm, while having a device length of only 5.8 µm. Additionally, fabrication tolerances to the key structural parameters are studied in detail, and field evolution through the proposed device for both polarizations is illustrated.
Published Version
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