Abstract
Multimode switch (MMS) allows realizing multimode optical communication enabling high-speed communication. However, to develop such an ultrafast switch for simultaneous multimode with a compact size is very challenging. In this paper, we design and demonstrate a compact multimode 2×2 MMS based on numerical simulation methods using silicon Ψ-junctions and multimode interference (MMI) couplers. The switch is controlled by thermal-optic phase shifters which is able to switch simultaneously states of the optical signal between three quasi-transverse electric modes. The MMS exhibits a low insertion loss from -1.5 dB to -3 dB, low crosstalk below -22 dB, and high extinction ratio larger than 22 dB in 40-nm bandwidth in the third telecom window from 1520 to 1560 nm, respectively. With a compact footprint of 12 μm ×1300 μm, the MMS exhibits relatively large dimensional tolerances. Besides, the MMS provides total electric power consumption levels smaller than 103 mW at an ultrafast switching time of 4.4 μs without the impact of the plasmonic effect. Furthermore, the conceptual principle of the proposed MMS can be reconfigurable and scalable in dimensional multifunctional on-chip mode-division multiplexing optical interconnects and promising potential for photonic large scale integration circuits in the continuum band.
Highlights
The recent rapid capacity growth in widely various services in the era of the fourth industrial revolution such as data sciences based on machine learning and deep learning, 5G mobile system, video on demands, is becoming a critical issue in optical fiber communication systems and optical interconnects[1]–[4]
When many guided modes are associated with an independent wavelength in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system, they may significantly increase the channel capacity in short reach optical communications systems and optical interconnects where modal crosstalk can be negligible
In conclusion, we designed and optimized a novel 2×2 simultaneous three-mode switch based on four symmetric Ψjunction couplers and three kinds of 2×2 multimode interference (MMI) couplers on SOI material using numerical simulations
Summary
The recent rapid capacity growth in widely various services in the era of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0) such as data sciences based on machine learning and deep learning, 5G mobile system, video on demands, is becoming a critical issue in optical fiber communication systems and optical interconnects[1]–[4]. The variation of I.L is in the relatively narrow scope from -1.5 dB to -3 dB, while the variation of Cr.T is in the range from -22 dB to -34 dB, for both cases of ON and OFF states These high contrasts between insertion loss and crosstalk lead to the excellent quality for the optical signal to noise (OSNR) of the proposed multimode switch in a relatively wide bandwidth of 40-nm as well as demonstrate the promising application potential of the device in terms of low loss, low crosstalk, and wideband. A small power consumption should be attained at an acceptable level when the gap between the metallic heater and the silicon core hSiO2 , as shown, is small enough to avoid the influence of the plasmonic effect on the lightwave propagation in terms of phase shift and optical loss.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
