Optical modulator using ultra-thin silicon waveguide in SOI hybrid technology

Ahmed B Ayoub,Mohamed A Swillam

doi:10.1007/s11082-021-03467-w

Ahmed B Ayoub, Mohamed A Swillam

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-021-03467-w

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Abstract

We propose a detailed study of an on-chip optical modulator using a non-conventional silicon-based platform. This platform is based on the optimum design of ultra-thin silicon on insulator waveguide. This platform is characterized by low field confinement inside the core waveguide and high sensitivity to the cladding index. Accordingly, it lends itself to a wide range of applications, such as sensing and optical modulation. By employing this waveguide into the Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration, an efficient optical modulator is reported using an organic polymer as an active material for the electro-optic effect. An extinction ratio of more than 20 dB is achieved with energy per bit of 13.21 fJ/bit for 0.5 V applied voltage. This studied platform shows promising and adequate performance for modulation applications. It is cheap and easy to fabricate.

Highlights

Optical modulators play a vital role in optoelectronic systems
While silicon lacks electro-optic effects, it has a high thermo-optical property at low speed [4]
A silicon-organic hybrid modulator was proposed [5] that operates at frequencies up to 100 GHz and beyond so that it can be used in electronic-photonic processing at high speed

Summary

Conflict of interest

This work was made possible by a NPRP award [NPRP 7-456-1-085] from the Qatar National Research Fund (member of the Qatar Foundation). The statements made are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. A..b. Ayoub conceived the basic idea and validated the concept of operation through computer-aided simulations. All the authors contributed to the general discussion and revision of the manuscript. Authors will make readily reproducible materials described in the manuscript, including new software, databases and all relevant raw data, freely available to any scientist wishing to use them, without breaching participant confidentiality. Authors w i l l make their new software, databases, application/tool described in the manuscript available for testing by reviewers in a way that preserves the reviewers’ anonymity

INTRODUCTION

MZI based Photonic Modulator

Modulator Results