Top: Average transmission of each waveguide output port (indicated by color)
Invention Summary:
The success of silicon photonic devices depends on high integration density. However, at the sub-wavelength scale, waveguides suffer from high crosstalk.
The present technology reduces crosstalk at the sub-micron scale by using a superlattice of waveguides. Within each supercell, there is a sub-array of waveguides with different propagation constants. Differences in propagation constants may be due to differences in width, length, or materials. A creative “interlacing-recombination” scheme may be used to achieve low crosstalk at half-wavelength pitch.
With this design strategy, it is possible to design a superlattice comprising waveguides with widths of 330-450 nm.
Market Application:
- Photonic chips
- Optical communication devices
- Optical phased arrays (with half-wavelength pitch)
- Space division multiplexing
Advantages:
- Increased integration density
- Reduced crosstalk
- More advanced functionality of chips
- Reduced cost
- Increased wavelength resolution
- Tolerance to surface roughness
Intellectual Property & Development Status:
Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.
