Ultra-broadband dual-mode 3 dB power splitter based on a Y-junction assisted with mode converters

A dual-mode 3 dB power splitter for application in an on-chip mode (de) multiplexing system is proposed and demonstrated. This device is composed of mode converters cascaded with a Y-junction. The simulation results show that similar to 50:50 splitting ratio can be achieved for both TM0 mode and TM1 mode over a wide wavelength range from 1.52 to 1.62 mu m. The fabricated device, which consists of a multiplexer, a dual-mode 3 dB power splitter, and a demultiplexer, has insertion losses of 0.54 dB for TM0 mode and 0.86 dB for TM1 mode at 1.55 mu m wavelength. The measured cross talk is 15.7 and 17.2 dB at 1.55 mu m wavelength for the TM0 mode and TM1 mode, respectively. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America