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Chip-scale nanophotonic switch based on a waveguide-metamaterial coupling mechanism.
Optics Letters
|October 14, 2017
Summary
We developed a novel waveguide-metamaterial coupling for optical switching in silicon photonics. This compact, CMOS-compatible device offers high modulation depth and low loss, ideal for integrated nanophotonic circuits.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Metamaterials
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Silicon photonic waveguides are crucial for integrated optical circuits.
- Controlling light propagation efficiently is essential for advanced photonic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a waveguide-metamaterial coupling mechanism for optical switching.
- To achieve switching control of the fundamental TE mode in a silicon photonic stripe waveguide.
Main Methods:
- Utilized vertically stacked alternating Indium Tin Oxide (ITO)/Silicon (Si) layers to create a metamaterial.
- Investigated carrier concentration modulation in ITO for switching between transparent and absorptive regimes.
- Simulated the optical switch performance.
Main Results:
- Achieved a high modulation depth (MD) of 27.8 dB.
- Observed very low insertion losses of 0.004 dB.
- Demonstrated a wide operating bandwidth of 300 nm with MD > 24.6 dB.
Conclusions:
- The proposed mechanism is effective for optical switching in silicon photonics.
- The device offers a small footprint and CMOS-compatible fabrication.
- This approach is suitable for high-performance, ultra-compact photonic devices in integrated systems.