Mode-field matching design, 3D fabrication and characterization of down-tapers on single-mode optical fiber tips for coupling to photonic integrated circuits

Koen Vanmol; Kumar Saurav; Vivek Panapakkam; Dries Van Thourhout; Hugo Thienpont; Nathalie Vermeulen; Jan Watté; Jürgen Van Erps

doi:10.1117/12.2555770

30 March 2020 Mode-field matching design, 3D fabrication and characterization of down-tapers on single-mode optical fiber tips for coupling to photonic integrated circuits

Koen Vanmol, Kumar Saurav, Vivek Panapakkam, Dries Van Thourhout, Hugo Thienpont, Nathalie Vermeulen, Jan Watté, Jürgen Van Erps

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11349, 3D Printed Optics and Additive Photonic Manufacturing II; 1134907 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2555770
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

Photonic Integrated Circuits have made it possible to decrease the footprint of traditionally bulky optical systems and they create opportunities for various new and fascinating applications. One of the limiting factors for the widespread adaption of PICs is their connection to the outside world. As the mode field diameter of optical modes in waveguides tends to be an order of magnitude smaller than in their fiber counterparts, creating an efficient, robust and alignmenttolerant fiber-to-chip interface remains a challenge. In this work, we investigate the optimization of the fiber-side of the optical interface, whereas the chip itself remains untouched and makes use of spot-size convertors. Optical fiber tips can be functionalized using two-photon polymerization-based 3D nanoprinting technology, which offers full 3D design freedom and sub-micrometer resolution. We present a down-taper design strategy to match the mode-field diameter of single-mode optical fibers to the modefield diameter of waveguides with spot-size converters on PICs. The 3D printed down-tapers are characterized towards their geometry and mode shape, and we experimentally demonstrate their use for coupling towards a Silicon-On-Insulator chip with spot-size convertors. Furthermore, the performance of these down-tapered fibers is compared to conventional lensed fibers in terms of optical coupling efficiency.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Koen Vanmol, Kumar Saurav, Vivek Panapakkam, Dries Van Thourhout, Hugo Thienpont, Nathalie Vermeulen, Jan Watté, and Jürgen Van Erps "Mode-field matching design, 3D fabrication and characterization of down-tapers on single-mode optical fiber tips for coupling to photonic integrated circuits", Proc. SPIE 11349, 3D Printed Optics and Additive Photonic Manufacturing II, 1134907 (30 March 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2555770

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available