Chip-scale optical interconnects and optical data processing using silicon photonic devices

Abstract

Recent advances in the density and complexity of photonic integrated circuits have facilitated possible implementation of chip-scale optical communication systems. Chip-scale optical interconnects and optical data processing are two important functions to transmit and process signal in the optical domain. Silicon photonics offers a promising platform to enable chip-scale optical interconnects and optical data processing using silicon photonic devices. In this paper, we review our recent progress in the design, modeling, and fabrication of silicon photonic devices and their applications in chip-scale optical interconnects and optical data processing with advanced modulation formats. For chip-scale optical interconnects, we experimentally demonstrate digital signal transmissions in silicon microring and silicon vertical slot waveguide. Terabit chip-scale optical interconnect is demonstrated in the experiment. Also, we experimentally demonstrate analog signal transmissions in silicon microring and silicon photonic crystal nanocavity. For chip-scale optical data processing, we experimentally demonstrate all-optical wavelength conversion using a silicon waveguide, simultaneous polarization and wavelength demultiplexing using 2D grating coupler connected with microrings, two-mode (de)multiplexing using a tapered asymmetrical grating-assisted contra-directional coupler, and two-/three-mode (de)multiplexing using asymmetrical directional converter. In addition, we propose and simulate chip-scale optical data exchange, chip-scale high-base optical computing, and chip-scale optical coding/decoding by using nonlinear interactions in a silicon-organic hybrid slot waveguide. The obtained theoretical and experimental results of chip-scale optical interconnects and optical data processing indicate possible integration of optical communication functions on a monolithic chip.