Polarization control using diffraction gratings in VCSEL waveguide grating couplers
First Claim
1. A waveguide grating coupler comprising:
- first and second mirrors positioned to define a resonant cavity between said first and second mirrors;
a waveguide;
a first grating formed as a part of said waveguide to couple light of a first polarization mode into the waveguide; and
a second grating, wherein said second grating is orthogonal to the first grating, and wherein said second grating enhances the light coupled to said waveguide by reducing light of a second polarization mode different from the first polarization mode within said resonant cavity, such that light within said resonant cavity lases preferentially in said first polarization mode.
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Abstract
A VCSEL waveguide grating coupler is provided such that a first and second mirror are positioned to define a resonant cavity between them. The waveguide grating coupler further includes a waveguide having a first grating formed as a part of the waveguide to couple light of a first polarization mode into the waveguide. A second grating is formed on the waveguide grating coupler and is orthogonal to the first grating. The second grating is operative to enhance the light coupled to the waveguide by creating a loss difference between light of the first polarization mode and light of a second polarization mode, so that light of the first polarization mode lases preferentially within the VCSEL.
61 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A waveguide grating coupler comprising:
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first and second mirrors positioned to define a resonant cavity between said first and second mirrors; a waveguide; a first grating formed as a part of said waveguide to couple light of a first polarization mode into the waveguide; and a second grating, wherein said second grating is orthogonal to the first grating, and wherein said second grating enhances the light coupled to said waveguide by reducing light of a second polarization mode different from the first polarization mode within said resonant cavity, such that light within said resonant cavity lases preferentially in said first polarization mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A waveguide grating coupler comprising:
- first and second mirrors, wherein the first mirror is positioned with respect to the second mirror so that light travels within a resonant cavity defined between said first and second mirrors;
a waveguide comprising a core and a cladding; a first grating formed as a part of said waveguide and proximate to the waveguide core, wherein said first grating couples light in a first polarization mode to the waveguide; and a second grating, wherein said second grating creates a loss of light in a second polarization mode different from the first polarization mode within said resonant cavity, such that the light traveling within said resonant cavity lases preferentially in said first polarization mode;
wherein said first grating and said second grating are orthogonal to each other. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- first and second mirrors, wherein the first mirror is positioned with respect to the second mirror so that light travels within a resonant cavity defined between said first and second mirrors;
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22. A method for coupling light comprising:
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forming a resonant cavity between a first and a second mirror; causing light to lase within said resonant cavity; positioning a waveguide to couple light out of said resonant cavity; forming a first grating as a part of said waveguide proximate to a core of the waveguide, wherein said first grating couples light having a first polarization mode to the waveguide; and forming a second grating, wherein said second grating is orthogonal to the first grating, and wherein said second grating reduces light having a second polarization mode different from the first polarization mode within said resonant cavity, such that said light lasing within the resonant cavity lases preferentially in said first polarization mode. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification