Configurable coarse wavelength division demultiplexers based on planar reflective gratings

Configurable coarse wavelength division multiplexing filters were realized using a planar reflective grating architecture utilizing small diffraction angles. The novel architecture yielded a 10-fold reduction in the chip size compared to previously reported filter configurations. The proposed design was manufactured using a standard silica-on-silicon process with a waveguide refractive index contrast of 0.82%. Polarization dependent losses of less than 0.2 dB were achieved without any post-processing steps. Fabricated filters showed insertion losses of 2.4 dB and remarkably broad free spectral ranges of more than 500 nm. The combination of single-mode input and multi-mode output guides resulted in box-like passband responses with bandwidth of 14.2 nm. Applications of the filters for integrated coarse wavelength division receivers and monitors are discussed.