Monolithic optical combiner and splitter component with Y-separator

摘要

When used as a divider in a four branch structure, the separator (1) divides 25% of the power to each branch (2a, 2b) and 50% remains with the central branch (3). The waveguide broadens out and the width of the branches is chosen to give the desired power distribution. The side branches are connected to the central branch by S-shaped and linear sections to decouple one from the other. The central branch may divide a number of times along its length with suitable adjustment of the power division to maintain balance. An alternative has the basic four branch structure but repeats it on each branch to divide the signal sixteen ways.