Waveguide Array for High Density Integration with Low Crosstalk

Top: Average transmission of each waveguide output port (indicated by color) Invention Summary: The success of silicon photonic devices depends on high integration density. However, at the sub-wavelength scale, waveguides suffer from high crosstalk. The present technology reduces crosstalk at the sub-micron scale by using a superlattice of waveguides. Within each supercell, there is a sub-array of waveguides with different propagation constants. Differences in propagation constants may be due to differences in width, length, or materials. A creative “interlacing-recombination” scheme may be used to achieve low crosstalk at half-wavelength pitch. With this design strategy, it is possible to design a superlattice comprising waveguides with widths of 330-450 nm. Market Application: Photonic chips Optical communication devices Optical phased arrays (with half-wavelength pitch) Space division multiplexing Advantages: Increased integration density Reduced crosstalk More advanced functionality of chips Reduced cost Increased wavelength resolution Tolerance to surface roughness Intellectual Property & Development Status: Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration.