Effective thermo-optical enhanced cross-ring resonator MZI interleavers on SOI

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• Waveguide Devices

Background:

• Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) devices are fundamental in optical signal processing.
• Traditional ring resonators limit add-signal functionality and crosstalk performance.
• Improving interleaver performance is crucial for dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and fabricate a novel cross-ring (CR-) MZI interleaver structure.
• To integrate add-signal functionality into the MZI interleaver.
• To enhance crosstalk performance using thermo-optical fine tuning.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a CR-MZI interleaver utilizing an '8'-shaped cross-ring resonator.
• Implementation of thermo-optical tuning via a 3-dB directional coupler heater.
• Characterization of optical performance, focusing on crosstalk.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of the CR-MZI interleaver.
• Demonstration of add-signal capability inherent to the '8'-shaped resonator design.
• Significant improvement in crosstalk from -10 dB to -20 dB with applied voltage.

Conclusions:

• The proposed CR-MZI interleaver offers enhanced functionality and performance.
• The '8'-shaped resonator is effective for integrating add-signal capability.
• Thermo-optical tuning provides a viable method for crosstalk reduction in MZI interleavers.