Mode-field matching design, 3D fabrication and characterization of down-tapers on single-mode optical fiber tips for coupling to photonic integrated circuits
| Autor: | Dries Van Thourhout, V. Panapakkam, Jürgen Van Erps, Hugo Thienpont, Kumar Saurav, Nathalie Vermeulen, Koen Vanmol, Jan Watte |
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| Přispěvatelé: | Applied Physics and Photonics, Faculty of Engineering, Technology Transfer & Interface, Brussels Photonics Team, Herkommer, AM, Von Freymann, G, Flury, M |
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Coupling
Technology and Engineering photonic Materials science Optical fiber business.industry optical interconnects mode-matching Photonic integrated circuit Single-mode optical fiber Integrated circuit Chip law.invention two-photon polymerization 3D direct laser writing law fiber-to-chip coupling Optoelectronics fiber taper integrated circuits Fiber Photonics business |
| Zdroj: | 3D PRINTED OPTICS AND ADDITIVE PHOTONIC MANUFACTURING II |
| ISSN: | 0277-786X 1996-756X |
| Popis: | Photonic Integrated Circuits have made it possible to decrease the footprint of traditionally bulky optical systems and they create opportunities for various new and fascinating applications. One of the limiting factors for the widespread adaption of PICs is their connection to the outside world. As the mode field diameter of optical modes in waveguides tends to be an order of magnitude smaller than in their fiber counterparts, creating an efficient, robust and alignmenttolerant fiber-to-chip interface remains a challenge. In this work, we investigate the optimization of the fiber-side of the optical interface, whereas the chip itself remains untouched and makes use of spot-size convertors. Optical fiber tips can be functionalized using two-photon polymerization-based 3D nanoprinting technology, which offers full 3D design freedom and sub-micrometer resolution. We present a down-taper design strategy to match the mode-field diameter of single-mode optical fibers to the modefield diameter of waveguides with spot-size converters on PICs. The 3D printed down-tapers are characterized towards their geometry and mode shape, and we experimentally demonstrate their use for coupling towards a Silicon-On-Insulator chip with spot-size convertors. Furthermore, the performance of these down-tapered fibers is compared to conventional lensed fibers in terms of optical coupling efficiency. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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