Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
12:19
Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source
Published on: April 4, 2017
Recirculation-enhanced switching in photonic crystal Mach-Zehnder interferometers.
Optics Express
|June 2, 2009
Summary
Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) in perfectly reflecting claddings exhibit unique transmission due to mode recirculation. This behavior can enhance photonic crystal (PC) MZI performance, offering sharper switching responses.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Optical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Conventional Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) are susceptible to radiation losses.
- Photonic crystals (PCs) forbid cladding radiation within a photonic bandgap, altering MZI behavior.
- Mode recirculation and resonant reflection are key phenomena in perfectly reflecting claddings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct transmission characteristics of MZIs in perfectly reflecting claddings.
- To explore the potential of mode recirculation and resonant reflection for improving MZI performance.
- To develop an analytic model for these novel MZI designs.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of MZIs within perfectly reflecting claddings.
- Modeling mode recirculation and resonant reflection effects.
- Proposing specific photonic crystal (PC) structures.
Main Results:
- MZIs in perfectly reflecting claddings show different transmission than conventional MZIs.
- Mode recirculation leads to significantly sharper switching responses.
- An accurate analytic model was developed and validated.
Conclusions:
- Exploiting mode recirculation and resonant reflection can enhance PC-based MZI performance.
- Novel PC structures with high and low refractive index backgrounds exhibit these properties.
- This understanding offers a new avenue for designing advanced interferometric devices.
