Efficient and broadband polarization rotator using horizontal slot waveguide for silicon photonics

Abstract

We report an efficient and low-loss polarization rotator based on mode evolution using horizontal slot waveguide. The device is fabricated using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor compatible processes, which allows monolithic integration with active drive electronics and other photonic components. A rotator fabricated with 100 μm transition length provides a high extinction ratio >14 dB for both transverse-magnetic (TM)-transverse-electric (TE) and TE-TM rotation. The excess loss of the device is 1 dB for both rotations as etching of the bottom Si waveguide is prevented. The device also exhibits a uniform rotation response over CL band wavelength range of 1530-1600 nm. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.