Design of PLC E₃₁-E₁₃ and E-LP tapered mode converters using fast quasiadiabatic dynamics

Abstract

The previous PLC E₃₁ and E₁₃ mode converters employ linear tapered structures to fulfill the adiabatic coupling condition and achieve a high mode conversion efficiency, which requires long taper lengths. In this paper, we propose two types of PLC tapered structures that can be applied in different scenarios using fast quasiadiabatic dynamics. These structures enable mode conversions of E₃₁-E₁₃ modes, as well as E₃₁-LP₀₂ and E₁₃-LP_21b modes, respectively. The E₃₁-E₁₃ mode converter can be reduced from the previous three-stage linear taper of 12000 μm to approximately 4000 μm in length. Similarly, the E₃₁-LP₀₂, E₁₃-LP_21b mode converter can be reduced from the previous two-stage linear taper of over 6000 μm to approximately 4000 μm in length.