Broadband topology-optimized photonic crystal components for both TE and TM polarizations

Abstract

Several planar photonic crystal components topology-optimized for TE-polarized light, including 60 masculine bends, Y-splitters, and 90 masculine bends, have been characterized for the TM polarization. The experimental results are confirmed by finite-difference time-domain calculations. The surprising efficiency for TM-polarized light is found and paves the way for photonic crystal components suitable for both polarizations.