Modelling of different tapered structure of multimode interference (MMI) couplers

Aminoddin, Khairul Anuar (2022) Modelling of different tapered structure of multimode interference (MMI) couplers. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The demand for a higher bitrate with a high-modulation speed drives the need for developments of photonic integrated circuits (PIC) to overcome the dissipation in the optical channel. The multimode interference (MMI) coupler is one of the structures that can split and combine light for an optical device in PIC. The MMI coupler is commonly used in Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) optical modulator, multiplexing/demultiplexing devices, logic gates, power splitters/couplers, switches, attenuators, and lasers. Multimode interference (MMI) coupler is a compact and sensitive device. Most of the research focuses on reducing the size of MMI by modifying the structure and improving the performance. Recent research suggests that tapering the structure enhances the overall performance of the coupler. This research studies the effect on MMI performance by varying MMI width, MMI length dan also tapering the input/output waveguide. The performance was measured by observing the output power ratio and insertion loss (IL). The linear, parabolic, exponential, symmetrical and non-tapered MMI coupler are precisely modelled in OptiBPM designer. Each model is simulated in the OptiBPM 2D simulator to illustrate the optical field propagation and the cut view. Furthermore, the output power and insertion loss are measured in OptiBPM Analyzer. Parabolic tapered with a width of 26 μm has produced the lowest insertion loss of 0.27 dB. On the other hand, the non-tapered MMI coupler has the worst performance of 1.67 dB. In addition, the symmetrical tapered turn out to be the most compact MMI coupler that can be produced with a minimum length of 278 μm. A low insertion loss and size compactness demonstrated in this research have portrayed this device's prospect in photonics applications.

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