Directional coupler wavelength selective filter based on dispersive Bragg reflection waveguide

A new type of wavelength selective filter, based on high differential dispersion between two coupled waveguides, is presented. The Bragg Reflection Waveguide displays high effective refractive index dispersion, due to the interaction of the guided mode with the two confining Bragg reflectors. When coupled with a weakly guided buried channel silica waveguide, a very narrow bandwidth filter (<1 nm) can be easily produced, in a shorter length, with respect to directional couplers made with standard step index channel waveguides. The complete design methodology, fabrication and characterization are presented.