On-chip second-order spatial derivative of an optical beam by a periodic ridge.

In this paper, a very simple periodic ridge on a symmetric slab waveguide is used for implementing an on-chip CMOS-compatible second-order spatial differentiator. The reflection and transmission coefficients of this structure show that the second derivative is performed in the transmission when the optical beam normally incidents on the periodic ridge. Simulations confirm that the reason behind the second-order spatial differentiation of the incoming beam is the excitation of the guided mode of the periodic ridge. A Maxwell's equation solver that utilizes the finite element method (FEM) is used to simulate this structure, and an eigenmode solver is utilized for the validation. The results of both methods have a very good agreement with each other.