Integratable electro-optic modulator based on a polymer-embedded silicon racetrack resonator with high electro-optic...

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optoelectronics
• Materials Science
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Electro-optic (EO) modulators are crucial components in optical systems.
• Silicon photonics offers a platform for integrated optical devices.
• Polymer-embedded silicon racetrack resonators (EOM-PSRR) combine these technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the EO modulation performance of polymer-embedded silicon racetrack resonators.
• To compare the performance of different materials integrated into EOM-PSRR.
• To explore potential applications in optical communication and signal processing.

Main Methods:

• Simulated waveguide characteristics using the finite element method (FEM).
• Fabricated and tested EOM-PSRR with lithium niobate (LiNbO3), EO polymer (AJ309), and hybrid EO polymer/TiO2 (HEOT).
• Applied static bias voltage to measure EO modulation performance.

Main Results:

• EOM-PSRR with LiNbO3 achieved a high modulation depth (~27.6 dB) and low EO wavelength tuning (10 pm/V).
• EOM-PSRR with HEOT showed high wavelength tuning (100 pm/V) but lower modulation depth (~6.2 dB) and extinction ratio (~5.2 dB).
• AJ309 performance was also evaluated.

Conclusions:

• EOM-PSRR demonstrate potential for diverse optical applications.
• Material choice significantly impacts modulation depth and tuning speed.
• These devices are suitable for optical frequency comb generation, frequency shifting, soliton formation, and phased array radar.