Reduction in polarisation-dependent loss and birefringence of arrayed-waveguide grating by adaptable thermal quenching

摘要

As a post-process technique for eliminating the polarisation-dependent loss (PDL) and birefringence (PD/spl lambda/) of a conventionally-fabricated arrayed-waveguide grating, a method is proposed for adaptable thermal quenching in a few sessions of quenching below the glass transition temperature of the overclad silica layer. The PDL and PD/spl lambda/ can be reduced significantly down to 0.23 dB and below 0.01 nm, respectively, in at most three quenching sessions.