Graphene-based Mach–Zehnder nanophotonics interferometer working as a splitter/switch and as a multiplexer/demultiplexer

Abstract

We developed and are presenting a graphene-based nanophotonic Mach–Zehnder Interferometer (MZI), which can operate as a signal follower, switch and splitter and as a multiplexer/demultiplexer. Due to the excellent electrical/optical parameters inherent to the graphene, we showed that the device we are presenting can works in several different ways, which can not be supported by MZI based on conventional materials. It is worth mentioning that the operations of the device we have developed take into account the electrical/optical parameters of the graphene, which provide greater versatility and efficiency compared to the MZIs manufactured with conventional materials. In addition, these parameters can be controlled via, for example, gate voltage, so that many operations can be performed in parallel, which is also not possible through the use of conventional materials. Due to its manometric dimensions, this MZI can be integrated within photonic integrated circuits, so that we can use this device in dense wavelength division multiplexing optical communications.