Magnetically Tunable Micro-Ring Resonators for Massive Magneto-Optical Modulation in Dense Wavelength Division...

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Integrated Optics

Background:

• Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems require efficient and scalable modulation techniques.
• Current modulation technologies face limitations in terms of integration density and dynamic range.
• Magneto-optical (MO) effects offer a promising avenue for non-reciprocal optical devices and modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and numerically demonstrate a novel on-chip MO modulation concept for DWDM applications.
• To explore the integration of advanced MO materials with silicon photonics for monolithic devices.
• To investigate the potential for massive and dynamic modulation across the C-band spectrum.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulation of a hybrid micro-ring resonator (MRR) structure.
• Utilizing cerium-substituted yttrium iron garnet (Ce:YIG) for enhanced MO activity.
• Leveraging silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and CMOS-compatible fabrication processes.
• Designing side-coupled MRRs to manipulate resonance wavelengths of adjacent silicon MRRs.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated active manipulation of silicon MRR resonance wavelengths via an adjacent Ce:YIG MO-MRR.
• Achieved optical signal modulation through a side-coupled silicon bus waveguide.
• Proposed a scalable architecture for massive, dynamic MO modulation across the DWDM C-band.
• Identified potential for improved spectrum utilization efficiency in elastic optical networks (EONs).

Conclusions:

• The proposed on-chip MO modulation concept is compatible with existing silicon fabrication and CMOS technologies.
• This approach enables massive and dynamic modulation for DWDM systems.
• The technology offers a pathway to enhanced spectrum utilization efficiency in future elastic optical networks.