Integrated broadband Ce:YIG/Si Mach-Zehnder optical isolators with over 100 nm tuning range

Opt Lett. 2017 Dec 1;42(23):4901-4904. doi: 10.1364/OL.42.004901.

Abstract

We demonstrate integrated optical isolators with broadband behavior for the standard silicon-on-insulator platform. We achieve over 20 dB of optical isolation across 18 nm of optical bandwidth. The isolator is completely electrically controlled and does not require a permanent magnet. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability to tune the central operating wavelength of the isolator across 100 nm, which covers the entire S + C telecom bands. These devices show promise for integration in optical systems in which broadband isolation is needed such as wavelength multiplexed systems or optical sensors.