Optimized 1 x 8 compact splitter based on photonic crystal using the two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain technique

The main objective of this study is to optimize an optical component considered as an essential building block in wavelength division multiplexing applications. The work presented here focuses on the design of an optimum 1 x 8 compact splitter based on a two-dimensional (2-D) photonic crystal (PhC) in triangular unit cells exhibiting high transmission. It generates a contribution to the 2-D planar Ph Cs in the integrated optics field. These new materials may prohibit the propagation of light in certain directions and energies. We also optimize the splitter topologies in order to integrate them in optoelectronic systems as division components. To do so, the 2-D finite-difference time-domain method is employed to characterize the transmission properties. Simulation results show that total transmissions of about 86%, 78%, and 86% for the 1 x 2, 1 x 4, and 1 x 8 Y splitters, respectively, at output ports are obtained around the wavelength 1.55 pm widely used in optical telecommunications. It is demonstrated numerically that the corresponding total insertion losses for the three splitters are, respectively, about 0.65, 1.08, and 0.65 dB. The simulation results are presented and discussed. (C) 2015 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)