High-resolution Fourier-transform spectrometer chip with microphotonic silicon spiral waveguides

Opt Lett. 2013 Mar 1;38(5):706-8. doi: 10.1364/OL.38.000706.

Abstract

We report a stationary Fourier-transform spectrometer chip implemented in silicon microphotonic waveguides. The device comprises an array of 32 Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) with linearly increasing optical path delays between the MZI arms across the array. The optical delays are achieved by using Si-wire waveguides arranged in tightly coiled spirals with a compact device footprint of 12 mm2. Spectral retrieval is demonstrated in a single measurement of the stationary spatial interferogram formed at the output waveguides of the array, with a wavelength resolution of 40 pm within a free spectral range of 0.75 nm. The phase and amplitude errors arising from fabrication imperfections are compensated using a transformation matrix spectral retrieval algorithm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Fourier Analysis*
  • Interferometry
  • Lasers
  • Photons*
  • Silicon*
  • Spectrum Analysis / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Silicon