Open AccessTowards femtosecond laser written arrayed waveguide gratings
Author(s) -
Glen Douglass,
Felix Dreisow,
Simon Gross,
Stefan Nolte,
Michael J. Withford
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.23.021392
Subject(s) - femtosecond , optics , materials science , laser , fabrication , refractive index , planar , waveguide , contouring , optoelectronics , physics , medicine , alternative medicine , computer graphics (images) , pathology , engineering drawing , computer science , engineering
The fabrication of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) using the femtosecond laser direct-write technique is investigated. We successfully demonstrate the fabrication of large planar waveguides that act as 2D free propagation zones. These slabs were found to have a highly uniform refractive index with a standard deviation of 1.97% relative to the total index contrast. The incorporation of low loss linear adiabatic tapers resulted in an increase of transmission by 90%. Strategies for manufacturing integrated laser written AWGs using continuous contouring to avoid lossy defects are discussed and demonstrated.