Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
07:56
A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
Published on: September 5, 2019
9.0K
Integrated Optical Modulator Based on Transition between Photonic Bands
Alperen Govdeli1, Murat Can Sarihan1, Utku Karaca1
1Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.
Scientific Reports
|January 28, 2018
Summary
A novel optical modulator uses a photonic crystal slab for efficient, low-voltage operation (~1V). This design reduces size and power consumption for integrated photonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Integrated Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Optical modulators are crucial components in photonic integrated circuits.
- Existing modulators often face trade-offs between size, power consumption, and operational voltage.
- Need for compact and energy-efficient modulation solutions is increasing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design a novel, area-efficient optical modulator with low operation voltage.
- To leverage plasma dispersion effect in a photonic crystal slab for enhanced modulation.
- To reduce the physical footprint and power requirements of optical modulators.
Main Methods:
- Design of an integrated Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) modulator.
- Utilizing a photonic crystal slab as the phase shifter element.
- Exploiting the plasma dispersion effect for a large refractive index change (Δn ≈ 4).
Main Results:
- Achieved a high index change enabling a π-phase shift with a short phase shifter length (~5 µm).
- Demonstrated low operational voltage requirement of approximately 1V.
- The design is implemented on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform.
Conclusions:
- The proposed modulator design offers significant reductions in size and power consumption.
- Low voltage and short interaction length minimize optical losses.
- This technology presents a promising avenue for cost-effective and compact photonic systems.
Related Concept Videos
02:35Band Theory
17.3K
When two or more atoms come together to form a molecule, their atomic orbitals combine and molecular orbitals of distinct energies result. In a solid, there are a large number of atoms, and therefore a large number of atomic orbitals that may be combined into molecular orbitals. These groups of molecular orbitals are so closely placed together to form continuous regions of energies, known as the bands.
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
The energy difference between these bands is known as the band gap.
Conductor, Semiconductor,...
17.3K
01:58Cooperative Allosteric Transitions
8.9K
Cooperative allosteric transitions can occur in multimeric proteins, where each subunit of the protein has its own ligand-binding site. When a ligand binds to any of these subunits, it triggers a conformational change that affects the binding sites in the other subunits; this can change the affinity of the other sites for their respective ligands. The ability of the protein to change the shape of its binding site is attributed to the presence of a mix of flexible and stable segments in the...
8.9K
02:31Phase Transitions
23.3K
Whether solid, liquid, or gas, a substance's state depends on the order and arrangement of its particles (atoms, molecules, or ions). Particles in the solid pack closely together, generally in a pattern. The particles vibrate about their fixed positions but do not move or squeeze past their neighbors. In liquids, although the particles are closely spaced, they are randomly arranged. The position of the particles are not fixed—that is, they are free to move past their neighbors to...
23.3K
02:58Properties of Transition Metals
30.1K
Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
30.1K
02:39Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
21.6K
The physical form of a substance changes on changing its temperature. For example, raising the temperature of a liquid causes the liquid to vaporize (convert into vapor). The process is called vaporization—a surface phenomenon. Vaporization occurs when the thermal motion of the molecules overcome the intermolecular forces, and the molecules (at the surface) escape into the gaseous state. When a liquid vaporizes in a closed container, gas molecules cannot escape. As these gas phase molecules...
21.6K
02:33Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition
20.4K
Some solids can transition directly into the gaseous state, bypassing the liquid state, via a process known as sublimation. At room temperature and standard pressure, a piece of dry ice (solid CO2) sublimes, appearing to gradually disappear without ever forming any liquid. Snow and ice sublimate at temperatures below the melting point of water, a slow process that may be accelerated by winds and the reduced atmospheric pressures at high altitudes. When solid iodine is warmed, the solid sublimes...
20.4K