Multimode Interference (MMI) Devices A Survey
Sundas Amin Khurram Aziz
NUST-School of Electrical Engineering and Computer
Sciences (SEECS)
sundas.amin@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Multimode interference effect and the principle of self-imaging
can be exploited to create optical devices like couplers, splitters
and filters. MMI devices have gained more importance in the past
few years and have proved to perform better than other optical
devices. This paper discusses the phenomenon of self-imaging,
which is the replication of input signal at regular intervals. After
that an application of multimode waveguides to power splitters
and couplers is presented, followed by a brief comparison of MMI
devices with directional couplers.
Categories and Subject Descriptors
D.4.1 [Input/Output and Data Communications]: Data
Communication Devices Optical devices; couplers and
multimode interference devices.
General Terms
Design and Theory.
Keywords
Self-imaging, multimode interference, coupler, splitters.
1. INTRODUCTION
MMI devices, as their name suggests, are based on the multimode
interference in multimodal waveguides. MMI devices have
become popular and of great interest in the past years. It is not a
new area of research but work done in the application of this area
has been limited. These devices have become popular due to their
very attractive properties such as compact size, easy fabrication
and genuine fabrication tolerant power splitting ratios, wavelength
and polarization insensitivity, low loss and robustness. MMI
devices are based on the self-imaging technique of an input signal
being repeated at a certain periodic distance. MMI devices find
application in WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) systems,
Mach-Zehnder interferometers and as efficient couplers, splitters,
switches, mode combiners, filters and ring lasers.
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),7, December 21-23, 2010, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Copyright 2010 ACM 978-1-4503-0342-2/10/12....$10.
NUST-School of Electrical Engineering and Computer
Sciences (SEECS)
khurram.aziz@ieee.org
This paper extends on the mechanism and design of MMI devices
especially couplers and splitters. It first discusses the theory of
MMI devices and the phenomenon of self-imaging. Then self-
imaging in multimode waveguides is discussed. A MMI based
power splitter design is considered. Then comparison is done with
the existing couplers. Also, some important parameters of MMI
devices are presented that need to be carefully adjusted while
designing of MMI devices. Finally based on the comparison done,
a conclusion is drawn regarding the performance of MMI devices.
2. BACKGROUND THEORY
2.1 Self-imaging Effect in Multimode
Waveguides
Self-imaging for objects illuminated by coherent light was first
discussed by H. F. Talbot more than 150 years ago [1]. D.
Marcuse in [2] discussed this periodic image generation for self-
focusing (graded index) waveguides. But for the uniform slab
waveguides, this principle was first suggested by Bryngdhal [3]
and then further studied by Ulrich [4]. The principle can be stated
as:
For a multimode waveguide, self-imaging is the phenomena
by which an input signal pattern is replicated, at periodic
intervals, once or multiple times along the direction of
propagation of the waveguide.
The structure of an MMI device is such that there are some
waveguides (usually single mode) connected to both sides of a
multimode waveguide; e.g. an N M MMI device has N input
guides and M output guides. These input and output guides are
used for the launching and receiving (recovering) of light into the
multimode guide. The number of waveguides entering and leaving
can be same or different i.e. N M. The central structure which is
the multimode guide is designed such that it should support large
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known as couplers, but if the number of input and output
waveguides is varied in some specific manner, splitters and
switches can be designed. The mathematical analysis of the
propagation in multimode waveguides can be carried out using
different tools. A generalized analysis is discussed here.
Figure 1 shows an example field profile in a multimode
waveguide, where nr is the refractive index of the waveguide, WM
is the width of the guide. For this figure first the propagation
constants are discussed followed by the propagation analysis [5].
7KHZDYHJXLGHKDVPPRGHVZLWKPRGHQXPEHUVY P-
1, and is the free spectral wavelength.
 the resulting self-images as well as the resulting operation of MMI
device.
It was found and explained by Ulrich [4] and Soldano [5] that the
when the image is repeated at regular periodic intervals, these
replications can be single images or multiple mirror images in
accordance with the following conditions:
Single image:

= 3 ZLWKS  (7)

Multiple Images:

( = )3 ZLWKS  (8)

Figure 1. Field pattern in a Multimode Waveguide showing
input field , , a mirrored single image, a direct single Where p denotes the nature of image along the multimode
image and two-fold images. [5] waveguide that if it is even or odd. For (7) it can be even or odd
and so direct or inverted images will be formed at even and odd
The propagation constant of an MMI section is given by [5] multiples of 3 , respectively. An example is shown below in
figure2.
+12
= (1)
4 2

Where We is called the effective width of the guide since it takes

into account the lateral penetration depth of each mode field. So
the propagation constant is in a sense depending on the mode
number.
Another important factor is the beat length; , which is generally
calculated for the two lowest order modes and is given by [5]

4 2
= (2) Figure2: Inverted self image [13].
0 1 3
For (8) p is an odd integer and so N-fold images are formed at
Using (1), can be found out to be [5] distance z = L, each having equal amplitude of 1 . An
example of a 4-fold image is shown below in figure3.
+2
0 (3)
3

The input field distribution, at z = 0, when all the modes are

considered is given by [5]

, 0 = 1
=0 (4)

Where cv is the field excitation coefficient of mode v and )( Figure3: Inverted 4-fold image [5].
is the modal field distribution of all modes. These single and multiple direct and mirrored images can be
Similarly at z = L the field profile will be a superposition of the exploited in the design of different MMI devices. For example,
field distributions of all modes as given in [5], i.e. the single images can be used to design bar- and cross- couplers in
a way that when = 23 , the field at z = 0 and z = L are in
, = 1
=0 (5) phase and the coupler is in bar state. Similarly, when =
2 + 13 , the fields at z = 0 and at z = L are in antiphase
and so the resulting coupler is a cross coupler. In the same way, if
Solving (5) by substituting (4) in it [5] we consider the case of 2-fold image formation i.e. when =
+2 + 1 23 , then the field at z = L is a linear combination
, = 1
=0 3
(6) of field at z = 0 and its mirror image with a phase shift of 2 and
hence we get a 3-dB coupler.
2.2 General Interference
Depending on the modal excitation, the self imaging can be of two 2.3 Restricted Interference
types: General Interference and Restricted interference. This and So far the discussion regarding the images was liberal which
the next section briefly describes both of these interferences and means there were no constraints regarding the modal excitations.
When there are only some specific modes to be excited in the
multimode waveguide, then it is called restricted interference.
This could be of two kinds; paired and symmetric. A brief
discussion is given below.

2.3.1 Paired Interference

The paired interference allows for MMI devices having MMI
sections of approximately three times shorter length. The
mathematical proof has been derived and published in [6]. It was
noted there that:
Figure4: Symmetric Interference [13].

3 + 2 = 0 IRUY A summary of the above discussion is given in Table 1.

So, Table 1. Summary of Characteristics of MMI Waveguides.

cv = 0 IRUY (10) Interference

General Paired Symmetric
Phenomenon
+HQFH PRGHV   . of the waveguide are not excited. The
direct and mirrored single images are then replicated at: Self Image 2 p ( 3 L ) 2 p (L ) p (3 L / 4)
Mirror Image ( 2 p - 1) (3 L ) (2 p - 1) (L )
= with p = 0, 1, 2,.... (11)
First N fold
Similarly, N-fold images are replicated at 3 L / N L / N 3 L / 4 N
Image

( = ) (12) Where ( p is an integer ) and L = S / (E0-E1)

ZKHUHSDQG1
It was also noted that when the overall phasor factor was
calculated for the output field, there was a linear combination of
even and odd modes such that each even mode led its odd mode
by a phase of 2 .
2.3.2 Symmetric Interference
As stated earlier in this paper, MMI devices can be used as
couplers or inversely as splitters. Considering the N-fold image
formation, N-way splitters can be realized. But, if restricted
interference is also taken into consideration then splitters with
multimode waveguide lengths of four times shorter are also
realizable [7]. Again the mathematical proof has already been
investigated and just a brief discussion is being put here. It was
noted that
4 + 2 = 0 for v = even (13)
So,
3. APPLICATIONS
3. 1 3-dB Tunable MMI Splitter
The basic concept of designing splitters using MMI has been
briefly discussed. Earlier, a MMI based power splitter with free
selection of power splitting ratio was proposed [8]. The design
was based on a MMI coupler and was for 22 and 13 power
splitters. Then a new design for MMI coupler based ptunable
power splitter was proposed [9]. The method for tuning was
discussed and then different asymmetric power splitting ratios
were shown to be achieved. The achieved power splitting ratios
were 28 : 72, 15 : 85 and 0 : 100. After this a generalized model
for power splitting ratios was discussed.
In this portion the design and characteristics of a 3-dB MMI
splitter which can be tuned accordingly to get different splitting
ratios, is discussed. Figure 5 shows the schematic of this MMI
splitter.

cv = 0 IRUY  (14)

The direct and mirrored single images are then replicated at:

3
= ZLWKS  (15)
4
Similarly, N-fold images are replicated at

3 Figure5: Tunable MMI Splitter [10].

( = ) (16)
4 This MMI coupler (splitter) works on the principle of modifying
the phase of self-images formed in the MMI waveguide. This is
done by injecting current into specific locations due to the fact
that when electrical carriers are injected, they cause a phase
change by changing the refractive index. So in this manner the

distribution of light in the output access waveguides is changed.
Different splitting ratios were obtained such 50:50, 90:10, and
30:70. Initially no bias current was applied which resulted in an
ideal 3-dB coupler, figure 6.
Figure 6: Tunable MMI Splitter when no bias current was
applied which resulted in a perfect 3-dB splitter; output facet
[10].
Then the device was tuned by applying the bias current in center
(an electrode was used for this purpose which was provided with
the biasing). The result was that the entire output was switched to
the lower waveguide as shown in figure 7.
Figure 7: Tunable MMI Splitter when bias current was
applied in center output facet [10].
Then the device was tuned by applying bias current at the edge.
The result was that the entire output was switched to the upper
waveguide, figure8.
Figure 8: Tunable MMI Splitter when bias current was
applied at the edge output facet [10].
4. COMPARISON OF DIRECTIONAL
COUPLER WITH MMI DEVICES
In this section we first discuss a general directional coupler and
then compare it with MMI devices; the comparison as carried out
in [11] and [12]. The comparison was done in great detail based
upon some important characteristics such as excess loss,
polarization diversity, cross-talk and fabrication tolerances.
Directional couplers (DC) are one of the most important photonic
= (17)
: propagation constant of even modes
0 : propagation constant of odd modes
If this is the case then cross-talk gets worse with as the coupling
length is made shorter and shorter. Cross-talk is calculated by:
= )(10log10 (18)
Pb is the power in bar state and Pc is the power in cross state.
The cross and bar states for MMI devices have been discussed in
Section 2.2.
4.1 Comparison with MMI devices
Decreasing the coupling length for DCs and correspondingly the
beat length of MMI devices, results in an increase in cross-talk.
However, it was observed that in case of DCs the results are much
worse as compared to that in MMI devices, as shown in figure 9.
Figure 9: Variation in crosstalk against length for DC and
MMI device [11].
Hence, if the cross-talk is kept same for both devices (MMI and
DC), the length of MMI can be significantly shortened as
compared to a DC. Another parameter which was compared is the
polarization sensitivity. The polarization performance of both the
devices was studied and it was observed that both are less
polarization sensitive but MMI devices, as compared with the
DCs, are polarization insensitive or conversely, DCs when
compared to MMI are highly polarization sensitive. Similarly,
when the power coupling efficiency of MMI and DC was
compared it was as shown in figure 10.
It was observed that as the wavelength changes, there are some
integrated devices. A DC couples light incident in the input
waveguides into output waveguides. Generally light is coupled
into the output guide that is adjacent to the input guide in which
light was incident. But practically some of the light is coupled into
other output guides which is due to the reason that the modes are
not cancelled completely. This results in the occurrence of cross-
talk. The improper cancellation of modes might be when the
coupling length, does not match the length of the device; where
ranges such as 1.4 P DQG  P ZKHUH WKH
power coupling efficiency of DC is less than that of the MMI and
a range where it is much better than the MMI. But still MMI is
considered better since it has a comparatively uniform or stable
behavior. In a similar way, other factors such as the coupling loss
and fabrication tolerances were also studied in great detail and
finally it was concluded that MMI devices are much better than
the conventional DCs in terms of performance as well as 5.2 Imaging Quality
This parameter is to define the quality of the image produced
which consequently determines the accuracy of output field in
accordance with input field. The imaging quality can be improved
by adjusting efficiently the distance where the self-images will
appear; as given by (11), (12), (15) and (16). This parameter is of
high importance when it comes to designing MMI coupler. The
multimode waveguide should be able to produce an exact replica
of the input field at its output; i.e., an image as narrow as the field
at its input.

5.3 Loss
Devices designed using the MMI principle generally produce low-
loss. This is mainly due to the fact that images are produced
efficiently and effectively inside the multimode section and also
light can be easily coupled into MMI waveguides with low
coupling loss and so there is no need for externally controlling the
fabrication.
power exchange and radiation losses, whereas in the general DCs
Figure 10: Power coupling efficiency against wavelength for this is a major problem.
DC and MMI device [11].
The comparison if summarized in a table would be as shown in 6. RECENT ADVANCEMENTS
Table 2. Recently some advancement in this field has been made. Initially
the work done was more related to the analysis and modeling of
Table 2. Comparison of DC and MMI coupler MMI devices. But now the research work is oriented towards its
Comparison Directional applications. Recently a semiconductor laser based on MMI,
MMI Coupler having a high output power and shorter device length as compared
Parameters Coupler
to the conventional semiconductor laser has been developed [14].
Great increase for Due to the use of MMI, this laser is more temperature tolerant as
Excess Loss vs
slight variation in Small changes well. Also an all-optical switch has been developed which can
Wavelength
wavelength perform multiple logic gate operations i.e. NAND, NOT, OR and
NOR [15]. Using MMI such a laser has also been designed which
Considerable can have adjustable operating wavelength and the operating range
Excess Loss vs
changes for few Small change was wide i.e. up to 150nm [16]. The laser actually incorporates
Width
PFKDQJH MMI coupler. Similarly a flexible MMI based reflector was
fabricated which achieved high reflectivity of 78 10% and could
Great increase in Slight increase in
Crosstalk vs be used in different positions and orientations [17].
device lengths length reduce
Length
reduce crosstalk crosstalk
7. CONCLUSION
Higher efficiency Comparatively low MMI devices are attractive photonic integrated devices; based on
Power Coupling
but unstable w.r.t efficiency but stable the multimode interference effect and the principle of self-
Efficiency vs
change in w.r.t change in imaging; which have gained preference over other optical devices
Wavelength
wavelength wavelength such as couplers, switches and splitters. We reviewed the
phenomenon of self-imaging and the theory and structure of these
MMI devices. A reconfigurable 3-dB MMI splitter was discussed
5. DESIGN AND BEHAVIOR considering the different imaging effects that occur in it. It was
CHARACTERISTICS observed that changing the beat length can result in different self-
images and hence different coupling behaviors of light in output
Depending on the self-images produced in the waveguide, MMI
waveguides. Then a 3-dB power splitter designed on the MMI
devices can be analyzed for their performance. Following are a
concept was discussed. It was seen that the splitter could be
few of the performance characteristics discussed for MMI and
reconfigured by changing the refractive index of the multimode
other coupling devices.
section. This was done by introducing a bias current with the help
of biasing an electrode and different splitting ratios were obtained
5.1 Requirements for no biasing, edge biasing and center biasing. Then a directional
As it has already been shown in [5] and discussed in sections 2.2 coupler was compared with MMI devices in terms of its
and 2.3 that the interference mechanism can be changed performance. Some general requirements and properties of MMI
depending on the position and shape of input field,. Hence, MMI devices were also discussed which need to be considered while
device performance can be optimized according to requirement of designing them. Finally some recent work done in this regard was
the system by carefully adjusting the input field, position and studied and has been discussed about in brief. It is concluded that
length of access guides (input/output waveguides). MMI based systems prove to be much more viable alternatives.
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