Compact modeling and system implications of microring modulators in nanophotonic interconnects

Abstract

Silicon microring modulators are critical components in optical on-chip communications. In this paper, we develop theoretical compact models for optical transmission, power consumption, bit-error-rate (BER), and electrical tuning of microring modulators. The proposed theoretical models have been extensively validated by fabricated devices from a number of designs and fabrication batches. Since the quality factor (Q) and the extinction ratio (ER) of the microring modulator are important to determine the BER and link power budget, we include accurate equations for the Q and the ER in our models. Based on the proposed models, we identify an extra power penalty for the electrical tuning, and an energy-efficient swing voltage for the microring modulator to achieve to minimum total energy consumption.