Characterization of 8x8 InP-based arrayed waveguide grating demultiplexer

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical systems are being developed for the use in telecommunication and networking. Combinging wavelength filt ering and routering is the key technology for both point-to-point data tran smission and optical add/drop function in the WDM system. We have designed and fabricated a polarization insensitive 8 x 8 channel ridge-arrayed waveg uide grating (AWG) wavelength router on an InP substrate for optical WDM. I t was observed that the light outputs from 8 channel output ports were unif ormly distributed in 2 dB power level, and the adjacent channel spacing was 1.601 +/- 0.006 nm. The crosstalk was well below -17 dB for all channels. An average TE-TM shift of <0.19 nm was obtained for an AWG. Propagation los ses of 2.5 similar to 3.5 dB/cm have been measured on high contrast wavegui des (that is, deeply etched through the InP-cladding and the InGaAsP-core). The device fabrication and characteristics of polarization insensitive rid ge InP AWG router will be discussed.