Modelling, Design Optimization and Fabrication of Guided-Wave Photonic Devices in Glass

Abstract

Design optimization is very important to achieve high performance of integrated optical devices. For accurate designs, detailed information on the characteristics of slab and channel guides made in glass substrates must be known in relation to their fabrication conditions since these waveguides often form the basic units in more complicated waveguide structures used in devices. This paper will outline the characterization and modelling procedures of such waveguides, and present the methodology of design optimization of waveguide devices. In particular, the beam propagation method (BPM) combined with the effective index method (EIM) will be discussed. Illustrative examples will be given on power dividers, wavelength multi/demultiplexers and vertical directional couplers made by K+-ion exchange in glass. Comparisons between the measured performance figures of fabricated devices and design predictions will be presented.