Dolendra Karki1, Vincent Stenger2, Andrea Pollick2, and Miguel Levy1*
1 – Physics Department, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931 USA
2 – R and D, SRICO, Inc., Columbus, Ohio United States
*Corresponding author: mlevy@mtu.edu
Most on-chip optical isolators utilize nonreciprocal magneto-optic (MO) garnet-materials that require an external bias magnetic field to operate. The magnetic field is applied though incorporation of either a permanent magnet or an active electromagnet. Permanent magnets add significantly to device bulk and electromagnets increase fabrication complexity and power consumption. Hence, it is highly desirable to reduce or eliminate the magnetizing component in these devices. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a first of its kind bias-magnet-free (BMF) on-chip waveguide optical isolator with integrated Polarcor™ UltraThin™ polarizers. The BMF isolator device obviates the need for magnetizing components while possessing superior performance, relative to other on-chip isolators, with ≥ 25 dB of isolation ratio (IR), and le 3.5 dB of insertion loss (IL) across the entire infrared optical C-band.
Sample dicing done in the Microfabrication Facility
Karki, Dolendra, Vincent Stenger, Andrea Pollick, and Miguel Levy. “Broadband Bias-Magnet-Free On-Chip Optical Isolators With Integrated Thin Film Polarizers.” Journal of Lightwave Technology 38, no. 4 (2019): 827-833.