Experimental observation of optical differentiation and optical Hilbert transformation using a single SOI microdisk chip

Abstract

Optical differentiation and optical Hilbert transformation play important roles in communications, computing, information processing and signal analysis in optical domain offering huge bandwidth. Meanwhile, silicon-based photonic integrated circuit is one of the most promising candidates for all-optical signal processing due to its intrinsic advantages of low power consumption, compact footprint, ultra-high speed and compatibility with electronic integrated circuits. In this study, we analyze the interrelation between first-order optical differentiation and optical Hilbert transformation and then experimentally demonstrate a feasible integrated scheme which can simultaneously function as first-order optical differentiation and optical Hilbert transformation based on a single microdisk resonator. This finding may motivate the development of integrated optical signal processors.