Abstract

NxN waveguide grating multiplexers are key components in wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) transmission systems and networks [l]. Recently, we demonstrated a 15x15 InP multiplexer that was comparable in performance to SiOg-based devices [2]. One problem with the InP multiplexer was the TM-TE polarization shift of the spectral characteristics. This is not acceptable for many applications where the polarization state of the input signal from a fiber transmission line is random. One can always try to achieve polarization independence by reducing the waveguide birefringence. This approach, however, may be too much of a compromise if one also requires low straight- and bend-loss and reproducibility. Here, we show that the multiplexer can be designed to operate independent of polarization even though the waveguides are biréfringent.

© 1993 Optical Society of America