Wavelength demultiplexer: using echelette gratings on silicon substrate

Abstract

Echlette gratings made by chemical etching of silicon substrates have already proved to be efficient, easy to implement, and well adapted to optical wavelength demultiplexing [ Y. Fujii K. I. Aoyama J. I. Minowa , “ Optical Demultiplexer Using a Silicon Echelette Grating,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron.QE-16, 165 ( 1980).]. This paper describes a collaboration between experimentalists and theoreticians devoted to the practical construction of wavelength demultiplexers for optical communications in the 0.78–0.9 and 1.2–1.35-μm ranges. A theoretical optimization of echelette gratings on silicon substrate allows us to obtain a very high diffraction efficiency. The experimental results confirmed the theoretical predictions.