All-dielectric unidirectional dual-grating output coupler

Abstract

A novel concept for an all-dielectric unidirectional output double-grating coupler is proposed and rigorously analyzed. In addition to a superstrate side grating, a second grating is placed on the substrate side. The periodicities of the gratings are chosen such that no propagating diffracted orders are present outside the structure in the superstrate region and only a single order is present outside the structure in the substrate region. The concept provides a robust output coupler requiring neither phase-matching between gratings nor any resonances in the structure, and is very tolerant to potential fabrication errors. Up to 96% coupling efficiency from the substrate-side grating is obtained over a wide range of grating properties.