Tri-layer gradient and polarization-selective vertical couplers for interlayer transition

Opt Express. 2020 Jul 20;28(15):23048-23059. doi: 10.1364/OE.397543.

Abstract

We demonstrate and optimize a tri-layer vertical coupler for a silicon nitride (Si3N4) multilayer platform operating at a 2 µm band. The large spacing between the topmost and bottommost layers of a gradient structure enables ultra-low crossing loss and interlayer crosstalk without affecting the efficiency interlayer transition. We achieve a 0.31 dB transition loss, ultra-low multi-layer crosstalk of -59.3 dB at a crossing angle of 90° with an interlayer gap of 2300 nm at 1950nm. With width optimization of this structure, the fabrication tolerances toward lateral misalignment of two stages in this coupler have increased 61% and 56%, respectively. We also propose a vertical coupler, based on this design, with mode selectivity and achieve an extinction ratio of < 15 dB for wavelengths in the 1910-1990 range. Meanwhile, a multi-layer interlaced AWGs centered at 1950nm and based on vertical coupler has been demonstrated. The proposed vertical couplers exhibit potential for application in large-scale photonic-integrated circuits and broadly in photonic devices.