Silicon-on-Insulator First-Order Mode Converter Based on Binary Phase Plate

Abstract

A silicon-on-insulator fundamental to first-order mode converter is proposed based on binary phase plate. The device can be operated in both polarizations simultaneously as it converts both fundamental TE0and TM0modes to first-order TE1and TM1modes, respectively which will be very useful in implementing PDM-MDM systems. The proposed device has a simple and compact structure. It has a low insertion loss of −2 dB and low crosstalk.