Application of the TDFA window in true optical time delay systems

Area of Science:

• Photonics
• Optical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Silicon photonics components operating at 2-µm wavelengths, within the thulium-doped fiber amplifier (TDFA) band, are emerging as promising for integrated photonic systems.
• Optical time delay systems are crucial for various applications, including signal processing and communications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize a silicon photonic Mach-Zehnder interferometer coupled ring resonator for optical time delay applications in the TDFA wavelength regime.
• To evaluate the optical transmission and variable time delay properties of the resonator.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication and characterization of a silicon photonic ring resonator coupled with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
• Optical transmission measurements at 1930 nm and 1550 nm.
• Comparison of directional coupler and Mach-Zehnder interferometer performance.
• Analysis of time delay tuning based on resonant extinction ratio.

Main Results:

• The silicon photonic ring resonator demonstrated tunable peak time delays from 190 ps to 560 ps.
• Achieved resonant extinction ratios ranged from 5.1 dB to 11.0 dB.
• Experimental results showed good agreement with optical models.
• Characterization of base components (directional coupler and Mach-Zehnder interferometer) was performed at 1930 nm and 1550 nm.

Conclusions:

• The characterized silicon photonic ring resonator shows significant potential for optical time delay applications within the TDFA band.
• These findings pave the way for future on-chip photonic systems utilizing TDFA wavelengths for advanced functionalities.