Open AccessStrip-slot direct mode coupler
Author(s) -
Kyunghun Han,
Sangsik Kim,
Justin C. Wirth,
Maikun Teng,
Yi Xuan,
Ben Niu,
Minghao Qi
Publication year - 2016
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.24.006532
Subject(s) - optics , hybrid coupler , waveguide , slotted waveguide , bandwidth (computing) , materials science , slot waveguide , energy conversion efficiency , slot antenna , output coupler , power dividers and directional couplers , optoelectronics , modal , rat race coupler , physics , photonics , telecommunications , computer science , silicon photonics , directional antenna , resonator , antenna (radio) , polymer chemistry
We present a direct strip-slot waveguide mode coupler without any auxiliary structures. Contrary to popular belief, an apparent mode mismatch between strip and slot waveguide does not deteriorate conversion efficiency. Separated electric and magnetic field distributions in a slot waveguide lead to highly efficient modal coupling in the direct strip-slot coupler and result in high conversion efficiency. Accurate experimental characterization shows that the direct strip-slot waveguide mode coupler is capable of up to 96% conversion efficiency with a broad bandwidth. Being simplest and of high efficiency, the direct strip-slot waveguide mode coupler can encourage potential applications of slot waveguides.