Abstract
A novel graded-index silica-glass V-shape optical splitter is numerically demonstrated. The compact-size 1 9 2 V-splitter design and performance evaluation are performed using finite-difference-time-domain method. The power splitting-ratio can be adjusted during design by simply shifting the splitter input core laterally with respect to its V-shape apex location. The splitter shows good performance when tested over the S, C, L, U wideband wavelength range. It shows small excess-loss and reasonable return-loss with a polarization insensitive operation over the entire wideband range. The V-splitter is suitable for photonic integrated circuits and planer lightwave circuits aimed to applications in optical communications.