Low-loss planar optical polarisation splitter with small dimensions

A novel planar polarisation splitter with the smallest dimensions thus far reported (0.6 × 2.5 mm2) is presented. The component, which is based on an optical phased array, was designed and fabricated using conventional (high-quality) optical lithography. Insertion losses as low as 0.5 dB and crosstalk values of 17–21 dB have been achieved.