Photonic crystal Mach-Zehnder interferometer operating in the self-collimation mode of light

Hoang M. Nguyen; E. W. J. M. van der Drift; J. Caro; S. Rogge; H. W. M. Salemink

doi:10.1117/12.841701

24 February 2010 Photonic crystal Mach-Zehnder interferometer operating in the self-collimation mode of light

Hoang M. Nguyen, E. W. J. M. van der Drift, J. Caro, S. Rogge, H. W. M. Salemink

Proceedings Volume 7609, Photonic and Phononic Crystal Materials and Devices X; 76090P (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.841701
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2010, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Based on the self-collimation effect of light propagating inside a photonic crystal, we demonstrate a novel concept for a compact Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The properties of these self-collimated beams are such that we can manipulate them to form the beam splitters and mirrors of the Mach-Zehnder interferometer in a very compact area of 20x20 μm². We obtain the unidirectional output behaviour characterized by the high contrast in the telecommunication-wavelength signal at the two outputs of the photonic crystal Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The experiments are done using optical transmission spectroscopy and far-field optical microscopy. This photonic crystal Mach-Zehnder interferometer holds a promise for a compact Mach-Zehnder modulator, inspired by recent reports of NEMS-based photonic crystal membrane.

Citation Download Citation

Hoang M. Nguyen, E. W. J. M. van der Drift, J. Caro, S. Rogge, and H. W. M. Salemink "Photonic crystal Mach-Zehnder interferometer operating in the self-collimation mode of light", Proc. SPIE 7609, Photonic and Phononic Crystal Materials and Devices X, 76090P (24 February 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.841701

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