Passive Components for Dense Optical Integration

This work presents a theoretical and numerical investigation of high index-contrast (HIC) passive components that can serve as building blocks at the end-points and nodes of WDM communications systems. The main characteristic of these structures is their miniature size and their low radiation loss due to the strong light confinement in high index-contrast systems. Thus large-scale, high-density optical integration may be possible with the associated advantages of increased functionality, compactness and cost. The text presents devices for filtering, optical interconnections and coupling to fibres. The latter part of the book explores coupling structures that are only a few wavelengths long yet can provide efficient coupling. Also discussed are possible future directions for this technology.