Optical power splitter based on multimode interference (MMI)

Abstract

The challenge in optical access networking is to bring optical fibers as close to the end-users as possible. One way to realize this economically is to employ the passive devices. Therefore, it is necessary to use plenty of passive optical power splitters in the central office for distribution purposes. Some of the important characteristics of such splitter are low loss, compactness, and a low price. To achieve this description fully, Multimode Interference (MMI) optical power splitters based on self-imaging meet all these requirements, with considering the ability to optimize the performance of optoelectronic device over range of operational parameters. These parameters are important to reduce device length and provide increase component density. Mathematical model was used in MATLAB software and verified it by BPM-CAD to design and optimize 1X2, 1X4, 1X8, 1X16 and 1X32 power splitter based on MMI.