10 Gb/s operation of photonic crystal silicon optical modulators

Opt Express. 2011 Jul 4;19(14):13000-7. doi: 10.1364/OE.19.013000.

Abstract

We report the first experimental demonstration of 10 Gb/s modulation in a photonic crystal silicon optical modulator. The device consists of a 200 μm-long SiO2-clad photonic crystal waveguide, with an embedded p-n junction, incorporated into an asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The device is integrated on a SOI chip and fabricated by CMOS-compatible processes. With the bias voltage set at 0 V, we measure a V(π)L < 0.056 V∙cm. Optical modulation is demonstrated by electrically driving the device with a 2(31) - 1 bit non-return-to-zero pseudo-random bit sequence signal. An open eye pattern is observed at bitrates of 10 Gb/s and 2 Gb/s, with and without pre-emphasis of the drive signal, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallization / methods
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Microwaves
  • Refractometry / instrumentation*
  • Semiconductors*
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Silicon / chemistry*
  • Telecommunications / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Silicon