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40 dB Optical Nonreciprocal Transmission on a Silicon Chip
Li Fan1, Jian Wang1, Leo T Varghese1
1School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906.
Frontiers in Optics. Annual Meeting of the Optical Society of America
|January 27, 2017
Summary
Researchers created a silicon optical diode for telecommunication wavelengths, achieving 40 dB nonreciprocal transmission. This represents the highest ratio for CMOS-compatible silicon photonics to date.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Materials Science
- Integrated Optics
- Semiconductor Devices
Background:
- Nonreciprocal devices are crucial for optical communication systems, preventing signal feedback.
- Existing optical isolators are often bulky, expensive, or incompatible with integrated photonic circuits.
- Silicon photonics offers a promising platform for miniaturized and cost-effective optical components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a high-performance, on-chip optical diode using all-silicon technology.
- To achieve unprecedented levels of nonreciprocal transmission in a CMOS-compatible platform.
- To advance the integration of nonreciprocal functionalities into silicon photonic integrated circuits.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an all-silicon optical diode using standard CMOS processes.
- Characterization of the device's transmission properties at telecommunication wavelengths.
- Measurement of the nonreciprocal transmission ratio (forward vs. backward transmission).
Main Results:
- Achieved 40 dB of nonreciprocal transmission, a record for silicon photonics.
- Demonstrated high performance using a compact, integrated all-silicon device.
- Confirmed compatibility with Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication processes.
Conclusions:
- The demonstrated silicon optical diode offers a significant advancement in integrated nonreciprocal devices.
- This technology paves the way for miniaturized optical isolators and circulators on a chip.
- The high nonreciprocal transmission ratio in a CMOS-compatible platform enables scalable photonic integrated circuits.
