Low loss MMI couplers for high performance MZI modulators

Thomson, D J., Hu, Y., Reed, G.T. and Fedeli, Jean Marc (2010) Low loss MMI couplers for high performance MZI modulators. IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, 22 (20), 1485-1487, [5540271]. (doi:10.1109/LPT.2010.2063018).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Optical splitters and combiners which can provide precise splitting with low loss, high thermal stability, large optical bandwidth, high compactness, and insensitivity to fabrication tolerances are essential components for high performance Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (MZI)-based optical modulators. In this letter, we theoretically and experimentally investigate the multimode interference (MMI) based structure and the reduction in optical loss achievable through the use of linear tapers at the input and output ports. Our data shows that losses can be reduced to below 1 dB/MMI without affecting the static extinction when employed in MZIs.

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Published date: 5 August 2010

Additional Information: Funding Information: This work was supported by European Community’s Seventh Frame-work Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant 224312 HELIOS and from the EPSRC UKSP Project.

Keywords: Low loss, Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI), multimode interference (MMI), optical modulator, silicon photonics, taper

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