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High-performance Mach-Zehnder modulator using tailored plasma dispersion effects in an ITO/graphene-based waveguide
Sohrab Mohammadi-Pouyan1, Shahram Bahadori-Haghighi2, Mohsen Heidari3
1School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 71348-51154, Iran. s.pouyan@shirazu.ac.ir.
Scientific Reports
|July 26, 2022
Summary
A novel electro-optic modulator using ITO/graphene silicon waveguides achieves a record low VπLπ by engineering plasma dispersion effects. This high-performance device offers excellent modulation characteristics for optical communication systems.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Optoelectronics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Electro-optic modulators are crucial components in optical communication and processing.
- Existing modulators face limitations in performance metrics like VπLπ, extinction ratio, and energy consumption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a high-performance electro-optic Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) with significantly improved characteristics.
- To engineer plasma dispersion effects in ITO/graphene-based silicon waveguides for enhanced modulation.
Main Methods:
- A push-pull configuration Mach-Zehnder modulator was designed using an ITO/graphene-based silicon waveguide.
- Plasma dispersion effects in ITO and graphene layers were tailored to create a large difference in the real parts of the guided mode effective index between the two arms, while maintaining equal imaginary parts.
Main Results:
- Achieved a record low VπLπ value, among the lowest reported for electro-optic modulators.
- Demonstrated a high extinction ratio exceeding 30 dB.
- Obtained low insertion loss of 2.8 dB and energy consumption as low as 10 fJ/bit.
Conclusions:
- The proposed ITO/graphene-based MZM offers outstanding performance for advanced optical communication and processing systems.
- Engineering plasma dispersion is an effective strategy for enhancing electro-optic modulator performance.
