On-chip microwave signal generation based on a silicon microring modulator

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Microwave Engineering
• Semiconductor Devices

Background:

• Microwave signal generation often requires complex electronic circuits.
• Photonic methods offer potential for higher frequencies and improved performance.
• Silicon photonics provides a scalable platform for integrated optical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel photonic-assisted microwave signal generator.
• To utilize a silicon microring modulator for frequency conversion.
• To analyze the operational mechanism and validate experimental results.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a silicon microring resonator with an embedded PN junction.
• Modulation of light within the microring cavity using a microwave signal.
• Extraction of modulated sidebands and detection to generate new microwave frequencies.
• Development of an analytic model to describe the device operation.

Main Results:

• Successful generation of a photonic-assisted microwave signal.
• Demonstrated frequency conversion from 10 GHz to 20 GHz.
• Achieved an electrical harmonic suppression ratio of 22 dB.
• Analytic model showed good agreement with experimental data.

Conclusions:

• The silicon microring modulator is a viable component for photonic-assisted microwave signal generation.
• This approach enables efficient optical frequency conversion of microwave signals.
• The demonstrated technique holds promise for future microwave photonic systems.