23 GHz Ge/SiGe multiple quantum well electro-absorption modulator

Opt Express. 2012 Jan 30;20(3):3219-24. doi: 10.1364/OE.20.003219.

Abstract

We report on high speed operation of a Ge/SiGe multiple quantum well (MQW) electro-absorption modulator in a waveguide configuration. 23 GHz bandwidth is experimentally demonstrated from a 3 µm wide and 90 µm long Ge/SiGe MQW waveguide. The modulator exhibits a high extinction ratio of more than 10 dB over a wide spectral range. Moreover with a swing voltage of 1 V between 3 and 4 V, an extinction ratio as high as 9 dB can be obtained with a corresponding estimated energy consumption of 108 fJ per bit. This demonstrates the potentiality of Ge/SiGe MQWs as a building block of silicon compatible photonic integrated circuits for short distance energy efficient optical interconnections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Germanium / chemistry*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Semiconductors*
  • Silicon / chemistry*
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance / instrumentation*
  • Telecommunications / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Germanium
  • Silicon