Tapered structures for optoelectronics

Principal Investigator: Dr P D Sewell

Other Investigators: Professor T M Benson

Starts: 1 September 1999
Ends: 28 February 2003

Value: £118,860

To date the design of photonic devices has largely focused on optimising individual device performance. As the technology matures this is no longer adequate and the focus of design must be shifted towards packaged modules and integrated systems. With this in mind we propose to exploit our recent major advances in waveguide modelling to investigate two classes of tapered structure for optoelectronics applications. These are the tapered waveguide mode spot convertor for efficiently coupling a semiconductor chip to an optical fibre and tapered fibre structures for near-field optics. The complexity of these structures demands fully three-dimensional modelling. The design methods to be used are spectral methods which offer significant resource/accuracy advantages over other methods. To achieve our goals the methods will be supplemented by the use of co-ordinate transform techniques, only demonstrated separately before. Using these tools design guidelines for reliable, cost-effective component design will be provided together with fully documented software. We will maintain close links with industry (BT Laboratories, DERA) so that the findings and designs coming out of the project can be immediately exploited.