A small-size polarization splitter based on a planar optical phased array

Abstract

A device is proposed in which the dispersive properties of an array of bent optical waveguides are utilized for splitting the two polarizations present in the input waveguide. An experimental device for operation at a 633- mu m wavelength, with dimensions of 0.6*2.5 mm/sup 2/, was designed and fabricated using conventional (high-quality) optical lithography. Insertion losses as low as 0.5 dB and far-end crosstalk values of 17-21 dB have been achieved.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>