Demonstration of an integrated polarization controller based on standard foundry components

This study introduces two silicon foundry-based polarization controllers. The first controller uses a thermal gradient to alter waveguide properties. The second polarization controller consists of two parts which help simplify the controlling process: one part adjusts the power split ratio, and the other controls the phase difference. Fabricated at AIM Photonics, these controllers were tested using on-chip and off-chip polarization measurement techniques. Results indicate partial state of polarization tunability with the first controller and full tunability with the second.