We propose and investigate a polarization-independent high-efficiency encapsulated subwavelength grating with a connecting layer in this paper. Numerical simulated method of rigorous coupled-wave analysis is adopted for optimization. Based on the simulated precise results, a simplified modal method is used to give perspicuous physical propagating fundamentals and explain wideband performance in the grating, where the coupled efficiencies by means of the simplified modal method are to be in conformity with the calculated values of the rigorous coupled-wave analysis for TE and TM polarizations. Compared with the researched surface-relief polarization-independent single-port grating, efficiencies are improved with 98.1% for TE polarization and 98.2% for TM polarization. Hence, the novel gratings with some superiorities are suitable for promising photonic devices.
