Photonics Research, Volume. 8, Issue 3, 359(2020)

Ultra-broadband nanophotonic phase shifter based on subwavelength metamaterial waveguides

David González-Andrade1、*, José Manuel Luque-González2, J. Gonzalo Wangüemert-Pérez2, Alejandro Ortega-Moñux2, Pavel Cheben3, Íñigo Molina-Fernández2,4, and Aitor V. Velasco1
Author Affiliations
  • 1Instituto de Óptica Daza de Valdés, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid 28006, Spain
  • 2Departamento de Ingeniería de Comunicaciones, ETSI Telecomunicación, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga 29071, Spain
  • 3National Research Council Canada, Ottawa K1A 0R6, Canada
  • 4Bionand Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology, Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía, Málaga 29590, Spain
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    Figures & Tables(8)
    Schematics of three types of passive phase shifters: (a) our proposed ultra-broadband PS comprising two SWG waveguides with the same period (Λ) and duty cycle (DC) but with dissimilar widths WU and WL; (b) state-of-the-art tapered PS consisting of a straight waveguide and two trapezoidal tapers in back-to-back configuration; and (c) state-of-the-art asymmetric PS based on two non-periodic waveguides with different widths WU and WL.
    Comparison of the PSE as a function of wavelength for the three designed PSs: tapered PS (blue curve), asymmetric PS (green curve), and asymmetric SWG PS (red curve).
    (a) PSE as a function of wavelength for two parallel SWG waveguides with DC=50%, WL=1.6 μm, and WU=1.8 μm obtained via Floquet–Bloch analysis. An almost flat response is achieved for Λ=200 nm. (b) PSE response of the entire SWG PS with a period Λ=200 nm, including the effect of SWG tapers.
    Simulated maximum PSE in the wavelength range 1.35–1.75 μm. For each wavelength, the highest error between PSE(Δδ=+20 nm) and PSE(Δδ=−20 nm) is represented. Inset: longitudinal and transversal variations for each SWG segment were considered.
    Schematic of the test structures used to experimentally characterize (a) the tapered PS and (b) the asymmetric SWG PS. Each structure is composed of two ultra-broadband SWG MMIs and 14 PSs connected in series, forming an MZI. SEM images of the fabricated (c) tapered PS and (d) asymmetric SWG PS as indicated by the blue box in the schematic.
    Measured spectra of the MZIs (a) with 14 tapered PSs and (b) with 14 SWG PSs. The light was injected through port 1, and both outputs of the test structure (ports 3 and 4) were measured. (c) Measured PSE for a single tapered PS (solid blue line) and a single asymmetric SWG PS (solid red line). Dotted lines correspond to the simulation results obtained via 3D-FDTD.
    Fitting of the circuit model to the measured spectra of the MZIs with (a) 14 tapered PSs and (b) 14 SWG PSs.
    • Table 1. Comparison Between Active and Passive Phase Shiftersa

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      Table 1. Comparison Between Active and Passive Phase Shiftersa

      Ref./Active or Passive?Technol.Phase (°)PSE (°)BW (nm)IL (dB)
      [11]/Active*SOI0.23
      [15]/Active*SOI0–5401.00
      [21]/PassiveGaInAsP45<±2700.1*
      [24]/PassiveSOI90<±5110
      [27]/PassiveInP180<±101000.70
      [27]/PassiveSi90<±131001.25
      [28]/PassiveSOI900.22
      This work (simulated)SOI90<±1.74000.15
      This work* (measured)SOI90<±31450.20
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    David González-Andrade, José Manuel Luque-González, J. Gonzalo Wangüemert-Pérez, Alejandro Ortega-Moñux, Pavel Cheben, Íñigo Molina-Fernández, Aitor V. Velasco. Ultra-broadband nanophotonic phase shifter based on subwavelength metamaterial waveguides[J]. Photonics Research, 2020, 8(3): 359

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    Paper Information

    Category: Silicon Photonics

    Received: Jul. 19, 2019

    Accepted: Dec. 24, 2019

    Published Online: Feb. 26, 2020

    The Author Email: David González-Andrade (david.gonzalez@csic.es)

    DOI:10.1364/PRJ.373223

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