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Ce:YIG/Silicon-on-Insulator waveguide optical isolator realized by adhesive bonding.
S Ghosh1, S Keyvavinia, W Van Roy
1Department of Information Technology (INTEC), Ghent University, Gent, Belgium. samir.ghosh@intec.ugent.be
Optics Express
|January 26, 2012
Summary
A novel waveguide optical isolator was created by bonding a Ce:YIG garnet die onto a silicon waveguide. This device achieves 25 dB of optical isolation using a magneto-optic effect and a static magnetic field.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Materials Science
- Integrated Optics
Background:
- Optical isolators are crucial components for preventing back reflections in photonic integrated circuits.
- Existing optical isolators often face challenges with size, integration, and performance.
- Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology offers a platform for miniaturized photonic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a waveguide optical isolator integrated onto an SOI platform.
- To utilize adhesive bonding for hybrid integration of magneto-optic materials.
- To achieve high optical isolation in a compact device.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hybrid waveguide by adhesive bonding of a Cerium-doped Yttrium Iron Garnet (Ce:YIG) die onto an SOI Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
- Application of a 100nm DVS-BCB adhesive bonding layer.
- Application of a static magnetic field perpendicular to the light propagation direction.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of a waveguide optical isolator.
- Observation of a non-reciprocal phase shift for the fundamental quasi-TM mode.
- Achieved a maximum optical isolation of 25 dB.
Conclusions:
- Adhesive bonding is a viable method for integrating magneto-optic garnet materials with SOI waveguides.
- The demonstrated device shows potential for on-chip optical isolation in integrated photonic systems.
- This approach offers a pathway towards compact and efficient optical isolators for various photonic applications.
