Photonic crystal power-splitter based on directional coupling

We propose a new power-splitting scheme in two-dimensional photonic crystals that can be applicable to photonic integrated circuits. The proposed power-splitting mechanism is analogous to that of conventional three-waveguide directional couplers, utilizing coupling between guided modes supported by line-defect waveguides. Through the analysis of dispersion curve and field patterns of modes, the position in propagation direction, where an input field is split into a two-folded image, is determined by simple mode analysis. Based on the calculated position, a photonic crystal power-splitter is designed and verified by finite-difference timedomain computation.