SBIR Phase II: Athermal Multiplexers Based on Reflective Arrayed Waveguide Grating Devices

这个小型企业创新研究第二阶段项目将优化温度不敏感的硅基阵列波导光栅(AWG)复用器的性能并展示其可靠性，该复用器是根据SBIR第一阶段奖开发的。在第一阶段，我们已经成功地证明了二氧化硅基AWG的温度敏感性可以通过组合一个反射装置和一个独特的外部反射镜来消除，该外部镜可以随着温度以恒定的速度旋转。外镜的旋转补偿了二氧化硅波导的温度引起的折射率变化以及由此产生的各个通道的峰值波长漂移，使器件变得不热。这是在设备性能没有损失的情况下完成的。第二阶段的目标是开发紧凑型40通道、100 GHz、完全无源的、具有高斯或平顶通带分布的可大批量生产的无热AWG。将特别注意Telcordia标准规定的无热AWG的可靠性认证。在第二阶段，我们将向我们的合作伙伴和潜在客户分发可靠的原型，以便进行现场测试。在该第二阶段项目下开展的研究和开发计划将导致可靠的无热AWG的强大制造工艺，为商业化做好准备。该项目致力于生产一种基于硅上二氧化硅技术的高度可靠、温度不敏感的AWG。AWG是一种平面光学器件，被认为是密集波分复用(DWDM)光网络中的关键部件。这种依靠高科技硅IC铸造厂制造二氧化硅基AWG的新方法，带来了低成本、大批量、无需大量前端投资的高质量器件。创新的设计完全抑制了二氧化硅基AWG的温度敏感性。这种方法消除了对AWG的电力和外部温度控制的需要，从而产生了更坚固、更便宜的器件封装。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will optimize Performance and demonstrate reliability of temperature insensitive silica-based arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexers developed under SBIR Phase I award. In Phase I we have successfully demonstrated that the temperature sensitivity of silica-based AWGs can be eliminated by a combination of a reflective device with a unique external mirror that rotates with temperature at a constant rate. The rotation of the external mirror compensates for the temperature induced index change of silica waveguides and the resulting peak wavelength shift of individual channels, making the device athermal. This has been accomplished without penalties in the device performance. The goal of Phase II is to develop compact 40-channel, 100 GHz, totally passive athermal AWGs with Gaussian or flattop passband profiles that is manufacturable in large volume. Special attention will be given to the reliability certification of athermal AWGs as specified by Telcordia standards. During Phase II we will distribute reliable prototypes to our partners and potential customers for field tests. The research and development program carried out under this Phase II project will result in robust manufacturing process of reliable athermal AWGs ready for commercialization. This project is focused on producing a highly reliable, temperature insensitive, AWGs based on silica-on-silicon technology. AWGs are planar optical devices that are considered key components in dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) optical Networks. The novel approach to the manufacture of silica based AWGs, relying on high-technology silicon IC foundries, results in high quality devices that are produced at low cost, in high volume, and without a large front-end investment. The innovative design results in complete suppression of the temperature sensitivity of silica based AWGs. This approach eliminates the need for electric power and external temperature control of AWGs, resulting in a more robust, and considerably less expensive device package.