Efficient broadband energy transfer via momentum matching at hybrid junctions of guided-waves

Abstract

Momentum matching at hybrid junctions is examined for efficient broadband energy transfer between internal reflection guided waves and evanescence-based plasmonic-gap guided waves. We demonstrate a nanoscale orthogonal junction coupler between 50 nm air-filled plasmonic slot waveguides (PSWs) and 450 nm silicon rib waveguides. Non-resonant junction coupling efficiency of 50 ± 2 % between 1450 nm and 1650 nm is achieved experimentally and PSW propagation loss is directly measured to be only 2.5 dB/μm. This taperless hybrid junction reduces PSW-based device footprint and enhances device tolerance to temperature and fabrication process variations, serving as a potential platform for hybrid silicon-plasmonic interconnects.