Waveguide Array for High Density Integration with Low Crosstalk

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.
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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.