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Ultra-wideband high-speed Mach-Zehnder switch based on hybrid plasmonic waveguides
Applied Optics
|February 25, 2017
Summary
This study designs ultra-wideband directional couplers using hybrid plasmonic waveguides. These enable faster, more energy-efficient Mach-Zehnder switches with a smaller footprint compared to silicon-based devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Nanophotonics
- Integrated Optics
- Plasmonics
Background:
- Hybrid plasmonic waveguides offer unique dispersion characteristics.
- Directional couplers are key components in photonic integrated circuits.
- Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) switches are widely used in optical communications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design ultra-wideband directional couplers utilizing hybrid plasmonic waveguides.
- To develop highly efficient MZI switches based on these broadband directional couplers.
- To enhance switching speed, reduce power consumption, and minimize device footprint.
Main Methods:
- Exploiting the dispersion characteristics of hybrid plasmonic waveguides.
- Optimizing geometrical dimensions for wavelength-independent directional couplers.
- Simulating MZI-based switches incorporating the designed couplers.
Main Results:
- Achieved nearly wavelength-independent directional couplers.
- Demonstrated an ultra-wide bandwidth of approximately 260 nm for the MZI switch.
- Confirmed significant improvements in switching time (<1 ps), power consumption (61 fJ/bit), VπLπ (85 V×μm), and active length (30 μm) compared to silicon-ridge-waveguide devices.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid plasmonic waveguides enable the design of ultra-wideband and efficient photonic devices.
- The proposed MZI switch offers superior performance due to strong light confinement in hybrid plasmonic waveguides.
- This technology holds promise for next-generation high-speed and low-power optical communication systems.
