Mode conversion based on the acousto-optical interaction in photonic-phononic waveguide

Abstract

We present a scheme for on-chip optical mode conversion in a hybrid photonic-phononic waveguide. Both propagating optical and acoustic wave can be tightly confined in the hybrid waveguide, and the acoustooptical interaction can be enhanced to realize optical mode conversion within a chip-scale size. The theoretical model of the acousto-optic interaction is established to explain the mode conversion. The numerical simulation results indicate that the high efficient mode conversion can be achieved by adjusting the intensity of the acoustic wave. We also show that the mode conversion bandwidth can be dramatically broadened to 13 THz by adjusting the frequency of the acoustic wave to match phase condition of the acousto-optic interaction. This mode converter on-chip is promising in order to increase the capacity of silicon data busses for on-chip optical interconnections.