A new approach to grating-assisted couplers

A novel approach to the analysis and design of grating-assisted directional couplers is proposed. Power exchange between the waveguides is maximized through phase matching of two power-orthogonal modes of the parallel coupler. It is shown that either complete power transfer or zero crosstalk can be achieved at two different coupling lengths even when the two wavelengths are strongly coupled and/or close to synchronism. An analytical solution to the coupled-mode equations is obtained for the grating of rectangular shape. A grating-assisted coupler made of two slab waveguides is examined as an example to illustrate the salient features of the scheme.<
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