Abstract
We describe a concept for second-order nonlinear optical processes in silicon photonics. A silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) double slot waveguide is dispersion-engineered for mode phase-matching (MPM). The proposed waveguide enables highly efficient nonlinear processes in the mid-IR range. With a cladding nonlinearity of χ(2) = 230 pm/V and 20 dBm pump power at a CW wavelength of 1550 nm, we predict a gain of 14.7 dB/cm for a 3100 nm signal. The suggested structure enables for the first time efficient second-order nonlinear optical mixing in silicon photonics with standard technology.
Highlights
Second-order nonlinear processes, like sum- and difference-frequency generation, spontaneous down-conversion and optical parametric amplification [1], are essential for a number of applications, ranging from spectroscopy, free-space communication, biochemical sensing, medical therapy [2], ultra-fast optical signal processing [3], lowest-noise optical amplification [4], and quantum physics [5]
In this paper we propose for the first time a second-order nonlinear silicon-organic hybrid (SOH) waveguide [24] based on standard silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology
In the present work we propose a silicon waveguide concept suited for three-wave mixing
Summary
Second-order nonlinear processes, like sum- and difference-frequency generation, spontaneous down-conversion and optical parametric amplification [1], are essential for a number of applications, ranging from spectroscopy, free-space communication, biochemical sensing, medical therapy [2], ultra-fast optical signal processing [3], lowest-noise optical amplification [4], and quantum physics [5]. Efficient nonlinear conversions require materials with strong nonlinearities, high-optical intensities and phase-matching between the waves involved [1]. Second-order nonlinear waveguides have been made of polymers, GaAs, InP, and LiNbO3 [7], and phasematching has successfully been achieved by birefringence, intermodal dispersion, or quasiphase-matching These materials often require specialized process technologies which are not applicable for mass production. A method for achieving quasi-phase-matching (QPM) in periodically strained silicon has already been proposed [20], large mode sizes and small nonlinearities lead to normalized conversion efficiencies smaller than 1% W−1cm−2. A method of achieving phase-matching based on birefringence in strained silicon waveguides has been proposed [21], but the efficiency of the device relies on nonlinearities which have not been shown so far in waveguides of the proposed size [22]. Received 6 Jun 2012; revised Jul 2012; accepted Jul 2012; published 22 Aug 2012 27 August 2012 / Vol 20, No 18 / OPTICS EXPRESS 20509
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