Low-loss Y-junction subwavelength splitter

Abstract

Abstract Subwavelength grating structures have revolutionized refractive index engineering, enabling the creation of artificial materials with unprecedented optical properties or reducing the feature size of some devices. This is a challenging field because fabrication limitations constrict it. As a contribution to this field, we involve a study focusing on the automatic optimization of a 1 × 2 multi-mode interferometer compact power splitter based on subwavelength grating waveguides. Utilizing the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm we highlight a transmittance of 47.7% at 1550 nm. Additionally, our optimized design consistently maintained a high transmittance, surpassing 46.6%, across a broad spectrum of wavelengths from 1450 nm to 1650 nm. This underscores the efficacy of employing the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm in achieving and sustaining enhanced performance for the optical device. Notably, our proposed device is at least five times smaller than existing state-of-the-art solutions, demonstrating significant strides in miniaturization and performance enhancement within this cutting-edge field. In addition, our research investigates the system's capacity to withstand manufacturing errors by examining the effects of displacements. Specifically, we assess the impact of deviations, ranging from ±10 to ±20 nm, within the period of our subwavelength grating waveguides.