Recent Progress in Light Polarization Control Schemes for Silicon Integrated Photonics

Abstract

Light polarization control is a target in photonics, and this paper provides a comprehensive review of research from various groups on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. It draws comparisons between devices such as polarization splitters (PS), polarizers, and polarization splitters/rotators (PSR). These devices are fabricated using various technologies, including silicon nanowires, ridge waveguides, hybrid plasmonic waveguides, and subwavelength grating (SWG) waveguides. A detailed review of polarizers used as cleanup filters in splitters is initiated. Subsequently, various polarization splitters utilizing asymmetric directional couplers (ADCs), which typically exhibiting low extinction ratios (ERs), are delved. To enhance ERs, a detailed comparison of methods outlined in the literature is provided. One notable method includes integrating on-chip polarizers at both ports to eliminate unwanted light fractions and achieve exceptionally high ERs. Furthermore, SWG-based polarizers and splitters commonly face issues with Bragg reflections that can affect other photonic devices and lasers and ways to minimize unwanted polarization back reflections in SWG-designed polarization control devices are examined. Finally, emerging applications in mid-infrared (MIR) sensing are explored, highlighting the necessity of polarization rotators for on-chip transverse electric (TE) operation, since quantum cascade lasers, the primary sources in this range, emitting radiation in the (TM) mode.