A Compact Low-Loss Broadband Polarization Independent Silicon 50/50 Splitter

We present a low-loss, compact, polarization insensitive 3-dB optical power-splitter for submicron silicon waveguides. The splitter is optimized over broad wavelength span ranging from 1300 to 1700 nm through finite difference time domain simulations. junction footprint only 1.8 × 1.3 ?m, which smaller than previously reported broadband multimode splitters. Furthermore, the demonstrated device overcomes fabrication limitations of previous splitters while maintaining compact size without any sharp angles. was fabricated using electron beam lithography. experimental results show small insertion loss less 0.3 dB both TE and TM polarizations.