On-chip wireless silicon photonics: from reconfigurable interconnects to lab-on-chip devices

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Integrated Circuits
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are crucial for high-performance computing and advanced networks.
• Emerging applications like lab-on-chip sensors require novel features such as dynamically reconfigurable light pathways.
• Harnessing on-chip optical radiation is key to achieving these advanced functionalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel silicon photonics nanoantenna for precise on-chip radiation control.
• To demonstrate the potential of these nanoantennas as building blocks for wireless silicon photonic devices.
• To showcase enhanced integrated photonic functionalities for diverse applications.

Main Methods:

• Development of a broadband, high directivity, low loss, and reconfigurable silicon photonics nanoantenna.
• Integration of nanoantennas to create wireless silicon photonic devices.
• Demonstration of applications including high-speed data transmission, compact optical crossings, and reconfigurable pathways.

Main Results:

• Achieved on-chip radiation control with a novel nanoantenna.
• Enabled wireless silicon photonic devices with enhanced functionalities.
• Demonstrated 160 Gbit/s wireless data transmission over mm-scale interconnects.
• Showcased a compact 12-port optical crossing with low crosstalk.
• Implemented electrically reconfigurable pathways using optical beam steering.
• Realized a flow micro-cytometer for particle characterization, highlighting smart system integration.

Conclusions:

• The developed silicon photonics nanoantenna offers full on-chip radiation control.
• These nanoantennas serve as versatile building blocks for advanced wireless silicon photonic devices.
• The approach significantly expands the capabilities of integrated photonics, with demonstrated applications in high-speed communication and lab-on-chip systems.