Large-capacity and low-loss integrated optical buffer.

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Optical Communications
• Integrated Optics

Background:

• Temporarily storing light is crucial for all-optical packet switching networks and microwave photonics.
• Existing optical buffer technologies face challenges in achieving large capacity and low loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an integrated optical buffer with large capacity and low loss on a silica wafer.
• To enable flexible light storage times for advanced optical systems.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an optical buffer using four silica waveguide delay lines.
• Integration of five thermo-optic switches for dynamic delay line selection.
• Optimization of fabrication processes and waveguide design to minimize propagation loss.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum storage time of 100 ns with a step size of 10 ns.
• Demonstrated a low propagation loss of approximately 1.08 dB/m.
• Successfully integrated waveguide delay lines and thermo-optic switches on a silica platform.

Conclusions:

• The developed integrated optical buffer offers a promising solution for large-capacity, low-loss light storage.
• This technology has broad applications in optical communications and microwave photonics.
• The precise control over storage time makes it suitable for advanced packet switching networks.