title: Low-loss ultracompact optical power splitter using a multistep structure.
abstract: We propose a low-loss ultracompact optical power splitter for broadband passive optical network applications. The design is based on a multistep structure involving a two-material (core/cladding) system. The performance of the proposed device was evaluated through the three-dimensional finite-difference beam propagation method. By using the proposed design, an excess loss of 0.4 dB was achieved at a full branching angle of 24 degrees. The wavelength-dependent loss was found to be less than 0.3 dB, and the polarization-dependent loss was less than 0.05 dB from O to L bands. The device offers the potential of being mass-produced using low-cost polymer-based embossing techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electronic Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Zhe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hau Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afsar Uddin