Theoretical demonstration of mode transmission in ZGP-based micrometer waveguide platforms

Birefringence phase-matching based ḩi̧(2) ZnGeP2 (ZGP) waveguide platform has been recently reported for excellent mid-infrared laser generation. Here, a detailed theoretical characterization of mode transmission taking waveguide anisotropy and substrate material absorption into account in a micrometer ZGP waveguide platform (ZGP-on-SiO2) is conducted. Benefited from high-index contrast between ZGP and substrate (SiO2/Air), Transverse electric and magnetic (TM and TE) mode transmission loss at interested wavelengths range of 2 - 12 μm is calculated to be less than 4 dB/cm and 1.5 dB/cm, respectively, in the designed ZGP waveguide. Notably, non-obvious oscillation of mode transmission loss versus phase-matching angles is observed, which is different from that in the previously reported weakly guided anisotropic waveguide. A vital phenomenon named mode crossing at some wavelengths in TM polarization is also exhibited in our waveguide platforms, which jeopardizes waveguide performances and could be avoided by changing the phase-matching angle in practice. This work provides a significant indication of ZGP waveguide design optimization in future and also exhibits extendibility to other birefringent crystal waveguide platforms.