Fast light generation through velocity manipulation in two vertically-stacked ring resonators

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• All-Optical Communication

Background:

• Optical pulse speed manipulation is key for high-capacity all-optical networks.
• Integrated optical structures like coupled-resonator waveguiding and photonic crystal cavities can slow light.
• Fast light generation in integrated photonic devices remains an underexplored but crucial area for optical pulse processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically demonstrate fast light generation in an ultra-compact double vertical stacked ring resonator.
• To explore the potential of this structure for all-optical pulse processing.
• To derive conditions for both fast and slow light operation.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical demonstration of fast light generation.
• Utilizing a double vertical stacked ring resonator coupled to a bus waveguide.
• Analyzing mode splitting, recombining, and degeneracy under periodic coupling.

Main Results:

• Achieved fast light generation over wide wavelength ranges with negative or superluminal group velocities.
• Demonstrated the exploitation of degenerate modes for fast light resonant devices.
• Derived conditions for achieving slow light operation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed double vertical stacked ring resonator is a viable platform for fast light generation.
• This research opens avenues for designing novel resonant devices for optical pulse manipulation.
• The findings are significant for advancing all-optical communication and processing technologies.