Reconfigurable wavelength selective splitter
A reconfigurable device is provided for splitting optical beams. The device includes an input port configured to receive an input beam including at least two primary wavelengths, a tunable splitter configured to separate the input beam into at least two beams via at least two routes corresponding to the at least two primary wavelengths, wherein each of the at least two routes is configured to propagate one of the at least two primary wavelengths of the input beam, wherein the tunable splitter includes a bottom electrode, a substrate on the bottom electrode, core segments arranged on the substrate, a top layer, support segments to connect the substrate and the top layer, a top electrode on the top layer, a controllable refractive index layer arranged to fill gaps between the substrate, the support segments, and the top layer; and at least two output ports configured to transmit the at least two beams propagated via the at least two routes.
1 . A reconfigurable device for splitting optical beams, comprising:
an input port configured to receive an input beam including at least two primary wavelengths;
a tunable splitter configured to separate the input beam into at least two beams via at least two routes corresponding to the at least two primary wavelengths, wherein each of the at least two routes is configured to propagate one of the at least two primary wavelengths of the input beam, wherein the tunable splitter includes a bottom electrode, a substrate on the bottom electrode, core segments arranged on the substrate, a top layer, support segments to connect the substrate and the top layer, a top electrode on the top layer, a controllable refractive index layer arranged to fill gaps between the substrate, the support segments, and the top layer; and
at least two output ports configured to transmit the at least two beams propagated via the at least two routes.
2 . The reconfigurable device of claim 1 , wherein the core segments are arranged to swap the at least two routes when an electric field is applied to the controllable refractive index layer by use of the top electrode and the bottom electrode.
3 . The reconfigurable device of claim 1 , wherein the controllable refractive index layer is a liquid-crystal (LC).
4 . The reconfigurable device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a silicon-on-insulator substrate.
5 . The reconfigurable device of claim 1 , wherein the controllable refractive index layer is covered by an electrode.
6 . The reconfigurable device of claim 1 , wherein the controllable refractive index layer includes of ferroelectric liquid crystal.
7 . The reconfigurable device of claim 1 , wherein the controllable refractive index layer includes of a calcogenide material.
8 . The reconfigurable device of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide layer comprises of silicon nitride.
9 . The reconfigurable device of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide layer comprises of silicon.