Open AccessFiber-to-chip coupler designed using an optical transformation
Author(s) -
Petr Markov,
Jason Valentine,
Sharon M. Weiss
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.20.014705
Subject(s) - optics , materials science , lithography , single mode optical fiber , waveguide , optical fiber , transformation optics , coupled mode theory , photonic crystal fiber , optoelectronics , refractive index , metamaterial , physics
An integrated silicon photonics coupler for fiber to waveguide conversion was designed employing a transformation optics approach. Quasi-conformal mapping was used to obtain achievable material properties, which were realized by a distorted hexagonal lattice of air holes in silicon. The coupler, measuring only 10 μm in length and fabricated with a single-step lithography process, exhibits a peak simulated transmission efficiency of nearly 100% for in-plane mode conversion and a factor of 5 improvement over butt coupling for fiber to waveguide mode conversion in experimental testing.