We designed a simple on-chip integrated optical isolator made up of a metal-insulator-metal waveguide and a disc cavity filled with magneto-optical material to enhance the transverse magneto-optical effect through the coin paradox spin-orbit interaction (SOI). The simulation results of the non-reciprocal transmission properties of this optical structure show that a high-performance on-chip integrated optical isolator is obtained. The maximum isolation ratio is greater than 60 dB with a corresponding insertion loss of about 2 dB. The great performance of the optical isolator is attributed to the strong transverse magneto-optical effect, which is enhanced by the coin paradox SOI. Moreover, the enhancement of the transverse magneto-optical effect through the coin paradox SOI is more substantial for smaller azimuthal mode number n. Benefiting from this, the transverse magneto-optical effect remains strong in a wide wavelength range. Additionally, a smaller cavity has a stronger transverse magneto-optical effect in the same wavelength range. Our research provides a new perspective for creating highly integrated magneto-optical devices.
Keywords: Coin paradox; Isolator; Magneto-optic effect; Spin–orbit interactions.
© 2021. The Author(s).