Compact 1 × N power splitters with arbitrary power ratio for integrated multimode photonics

Abstract

Abstract We introduce a 1 × N integrated power splitter for the multimode photonics platform. The device converts an input laser beam into a higher-order mode beam, which afterwards is split. The core of this setup is represented by a non-uniform array of N waveguides that allows achieving arbitrary power splitting. The system exhibits high modal purity and is tested against wavelength variations and fabrication errors. The possibility to include a multi-input port configuration, leading to various power ratios via a single device, provides further flexibility. Our analysis is validated by finite-element-method simulations. At the best of our knowledge, this represents the first design of a device for arbitrary 1 × N power splitting of higher-order modes.