WET-CHEMICAL FABRICATION OF A SINGLE LEAKAGE-CHANNEL GRATING COUPLER

We demonstrate the fabrication of a unique optical device, the single leakage-channel grating coupler, using sol-gel techniques. Design spec ifications are outlined to establish the material criteria for the sol -gel compositions. Material choice and preparation are described. We e valuate the characteristics and performance of the single leakage-chan nel grating coupler by comparing the predicted and the measured branch ing ratios. The branching ratio of the solution-derived device is with in 3% of the theoretically predicted value.