Ultracompact integrated polarizers using bent asymmetric coupled waveguides

A new type of integrated polarizer based on bent coupled optical waveguides is proposed. The simplicity of the device geometry permits its realization using only basic standard fabrication steps. A deep etched waveguide silicon nitride TE-pass implementation has been studied using a full vector 3D mode solver and beam propagation techniques. The characteristics of the underlying physical mechanism bring in flexibility to the design of broadband devices robust against fabrication tolerances. The possibility of incorporating almost design-transparent polarizers in photonic integrated circuits is also discussed.