Optical Analog to Electromagnetically Induced Transparency in Cascaded Ring-Resonator Systems

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Integrated Optics
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) analogues are crucial for advanced optical applications like slow light and sensing.
• Silicon photonics offers a scalable platform for integrated optical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally demonstrate a coupled resonator induced transparency (CRIT) system using cascaded ring resonators on a silicon chip.
• To investigate the influence of various parameters on the system's transmission characteristics and group index.
• To evaluate the device's performance, including its quality factor and temperature stability.

Main Methods:

• Modeling the three cascaded ring coupled resonator system using the transfer matrix method.
• Theoretical and numerical investigation of coupling ratios, waveguide loss, and additional coupler loss.
• Experimental measurement of transmission characteristics using vertical grating coupling.
• Testing the temperature performance of the fabricated device.

Main Results:

• Achieved an enhanced quality factor of 1.22 × 10⁵.
• Detailed analysis of parameter influences on transmission and group index.
• Experimental validation of the CRIT system's functionality on a silicon chip.

Conclusions:

• The developed CRIT system provides a novel method for light manipulation in highly integrated optical circuits.
• The enhanced quality factor and demonstrated functionality show promise for advanced sensing applications.
• Silicon-based integrated optics can effectively implement EIT analogues for future photonic technologies.