Ultra-compact silicon mode-order converters based on dielectric slots.

Ultra-compact mode-order converters with dielectric slots are demonstrated on a silicon-on-insulator platform. We propose a mode converter that converts the TE0 mode into the TE1 mode with an ultra-small footprint of only 0.8×1.2µ m 2 . The measured insertion loss is less than 1.2 dB from 1520 nm to 1570 nm. To reduce the insertion loss, we further optimize the structure and design two mode converters that convert the TE0 mode into the TE1 mode and the TE2 mode with footprints of 0.88×2.3µ m 2 and 1.4×2.4µ m 2 , respectively. Their measured insertion losses are both less than 0.5 dB. Additionally, the proposed devices are cascadable and scalable for high-order mode conversion.