Particle Swarm Optimized Compact, Low Loss 3-dB Power Splitter Enabled by Silicon Columns in Silicon-on-Insulator

Abstract

We demonstrate a 3-dB power splitter optimized by an enhanced particle swarm optimization algorithm based on a curved directional coupler, with a set of silicon columns introduced into the coupling region. The proposed device exhibits compact size, low loss and low wavelength dependence in the O-band. We employ the particle swarm optimization algorithm to engineer the dispersion by designing the radius of the silicon columns automatically. The demonstrated 3-dB power splitter enabled by silicon columns in silicon-on-insulator can achieve multiple performance metrics simultaneously according to our simulation results, with a compact footprint as small as 11.9 µm, low excess loss as low as 0.04 dB and broad 3-dB operational bandwidth of 60 nm with transmission fluctuations within 0.05 in the wavelength range from 1270 to 1330 nm. This work pioneers the silicon columns in the coupling region and adopts an enhanced particle swarm optimization algorithm to optimize device properties, providing significant potential for application in large-scale PICs as well as offering a new degree of freedom in the design of power splitters.

Keywords

• power splitter
• silicon photonics
• particle swarm optimization
• inverse design