Low connector-to-connector loss through silicon photonic chips using ultra-low loss splicing of SMF-28 to high numerical aperture fibers.

Here we present extremely low connector-to-connector loss (≤3 dB) through silicon photonic chips using ultra-low loss (≤0.15 dB) splicing between SMF-28 and ultra-high numerical aperture (UHNA) fibers. The small MFD from the UHNA fibers enables strong coupling to hybrid TE/TM edge couplers achieving TM (TE) losses of 1.25 (2.35) dB per coupler and low polarization-dependent loss. Mode coupling simulations and tolerance are investigated to understand performance.