Meta-grating outcouplers for optimized beam shaping in the visible

Abstract

Accurate coupling between optical modes at the interface between photonic chips and free space is required for the development of many on-chip devices. This control is critical in quantum technologies where large-diameter beams with designed mode profiles are required. Yet, these designs are often difficult to achieve at shorter wavelengths where fabrication limits the resolution of designed devices. In this work we demonstrate optimized outcoupling of free-space beams at 461 nm using a meta-grating approach that achieves a 16 dB improvement in the apodized outcoupling strength. We design and fabricate devices, demonstrating accurate reproduction of beams with widths greater than 100 µm.