Polarization beam splitter using asymmetric power splitting and multipath interferometry

A method of polarization dependent optical signal demultiplexing, the method comprising:

• receiving a transverse electric (TE) optical signal and a transverse magnetic (TM) optical signal multiplexed on a common waveguide at an input port to a polarization splitting region, wherein the polarization splitting region includes a pattern of at least two materials having different refractive indexes;
• directing a first power majority of the TM optical signal received at the input port to a first output port coupled to the polarization splitting region using multipath interferometry;
• and
• directing a second power majority of the TE optical signal received at the input port to a second output port coupled to the polarization splitting region using asymmetrical power splitting,
• wherein the pattern simultaneously induces the multipath interferometry and the asymmetrical power splitting on the TM and TE optical signals, respectively, when the input port is simultaneously excited by the TM and TE optical signals.