Silicon-photonic PTAT temperature sensor for micro-ring resonator thermal stabilization

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Micro-ring resonator modulators are key components in optical communication systems.
• Thermal fluctuations can degrade modulator performance and stability.
• Existing stabilization methods may be complex or lack real-time adaptability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a robust thermal stabilization scheme for micro-ring resonator modulators.
• To improve the operational stability and reliability of modulators under varying thermal conditions.
• To integrate a direct temperature measurement and feedback control system.

Main Methods:

• Direct measurement of micro-ring temperature using a monolithic proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) sensor.
• Implementation of a closed-loop feedback system to adjust the ring's thermal tuner based on sensor readings.
• Experimental validation of the stabilization scheme under thermal perturbations at a data rate of 20Gb/s.

Main Results:

• Successful demonstration of a closed-loop thermal stabilization system for micro-ring resonator modulators.
• The system effectively compensated for thermal perturbations, maintaining stable modulator operation.
• The scheme proved effective at a high data rate of 20Gb/s, indicating practical applicability.

Conclusions:

• The proposed direct temperature measurement and feedback control scheme offers an effective solution for micro-ring resonator modulator thermal stabilization.
• This approach enhances device reliability and performance in dynamic thermal environments.
• The integrated PTAT sensor and feedback loop provide a compact and efficient stabilization mechanism.