Determining the minimum number of arrayed waveguides and the optimal orientation angle of slab for the design of arrayed waveguide gratings

摘要

In the optimal design of arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), a concise method for determining the minimum number of arrayed waveguides and the optimal orientation angle of slab waveguide is presented. As an example to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a 16×16 AWG using silica-based sol-gel material is designed with some practical prescribed specifications. A simple criterion for determining minimum number of arrayed wave-guides is provided and is verified by comparing the transmission spectra of the designed AWG using a beam propagation method (BPM). Furthermore, the optimal orientation angle is obtained by balancing the bend losses of the arrayed waveguides and the input/output waveguides. The design methodology is a practical and simple tool for the design of AWG multiplexers/demultiplexers.