Multi-mode spiral delay device
View Patent ↗An optical device includes a first multi-mode waveguide, a first optical coupler coupled to the first multi-mode waveguide, the first coupler being tapered and curved, and a first single-mode waveguide having a first end coupled to the first optical coupler. The optical device maybe used in an optical delay device. A method of propagating light in a first multi-mode waveguide toward a first optical coupler, propagating the light in the first optical coupler toward a first single-mode waveguide, the first optical coupler being tapered and curved, and propagating the light along the first single-mode waveguide is also disclosed.
1. An optical device, comprising:
a first multi-mode waveguide including a first plurality of spiral rounds;
a second multi-mode waveguide distinct and separate from the first multi-mode waveguide, the second multi-mode waveguide including a second plurality of spiral rounds; and
a first single-mode waveguide having a first end optically coupled to the first multi-mode waveguide and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end being optically coupled to the second multi-mode waveguide, wherein a first portion of the first single-mode waveguide curves in a clockwise direction and a second portion of the first single-mode waveguide curves in a counterclockwise direction.
2. The optical device of claim 1 , wherein:
the optical device is an optical delay device.
3. The optical device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first multi-mode waveguide has a first width; and
the first single-mode waveguide has a second width smaller than the first width.
4. The optical device of claim 3 , further comprising:
a first optical coupler located between the first multi-mode waveguide and the first single-mode waveguide.
5. The optical device of claim 4 , wherein:
the first optical coupler tapers from the first width to the second width.
6. The optical device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a second optical coupler located between the second multi-mode waveguide and the first single-mode waveguide.
7. The optical device of claim 6 , wherein:
the second multi-mode waveguide has a third width greater than the second width; and
the second optical coupler tapers from the second width to the third width.
8. The optical device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second single-mode waveguide, wherein the first multi-mode waveguide includes a first end optically coupled to the second single-mode waveguide and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end of the first multi-mode waveguide being optically coupled to the first end of the first single-mode waveguide.
9. The optical device of claim 8 , further comprising:
a third single-mode waveguide, wherein the second multi-mode waveguide includes a first end optically coupled to the second end of the first single-mode waveguide and a second end opposite to the first end, the second end of the first multi-mode waveguide being optically coupled to the first end of the first single-mode waveguide.
10. The optical device of claim 1 , wherein the first multi-mode waveguide, the second multi-mode waveguide, and the first single-mode waveguide are formed on a same plane.
11. The optical device of claim 1 , wherein the first multi-mode waveguide, the second multi-mode waveguide, and the first single-mode waveguide are optical waveguides.