High-Q silicon-on-insulator optical rib waveguide racetrack resonators

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology is a key platform for integrated photonics.
• Racetrack resonators are fundamental components for optical filtering and sensing applications.
• Achieving high quality factors (Q) is crucial for enhancing resonator performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and realize high Q racetrack resonators using SOI rib waveguides.
• To optimize waveguide geometry for critical coupling and minimize bending losses.
• To achieve record-high Q factors and extinction ratios for SOI rib waveguide resonators.

Main Methods:

• Extensive numerical simulations to study bending loss and determine optimal waveguide geometry.
• Coupling factor calculations to achieve critical coupling.
• Estimation of propagation loss.
• Fabrication and characterization of the designed racetrack resonators.

Main Results:

• Achieved quality factors (Q) as high as 119000.
• Obtained extinction ratios as large as 12 dB.
• Demonstrated the highest Q value to date for SOI rib waveguide resonators.

Conclusions:

• The detailed design and realization of high Q racetrack resonators based on SOI rib waveguides were successful.
• The achieved Q factor of 119000 represents a significant advancement in SOI photonic devices.
• The results pave the way for improved performance in optical filters, modulators, and sensors.