Design of Ultra-Compact and Multifunctional Optical Logic Gate Based on Sb₂Se₃-SOI Hybrid Platform

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Integrated Optics

Background:

• Optical logic devices are crucial for advanced optical signal processing.
• Reconfigurable devices offer greater flexibility compared to fixed-function counterparts.
• Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platforms are widely used for integrated photonic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design an ultra-compact, reconfigurable optical logic gate.
• To achieve multiple logic functions (OR, XOR, NOT, AND) within a single device.
• To utilize antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃) on an SOI platform for novel optical functionalities.

Main Methods:

• Employed an inverse design method with the DBS algorithm.
• Integrated antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃) on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform.
• Utilized programmable electrical triggers to alter Sb₂Se₃'s amorphous/crystalline states.

Main Results:

• Designed an ultra-compact reconfigurable optical logic gate (4.92 × 2.52 μm²).
• Demonstrated switching between OR, XOR, NOT, and AND logic functions.
• Achieved good performance across a 1540-1560 nm wavelength range, with high contrast ratios at 1550 nm.
• Showcased robustness to fabrication imperfections and reconfigurability without device redesign.

Conclusions:

• The designed device offers a versatile and compact solution for optical logic operations.
• The Sb₂Se₃-SOI platform enables reconfigurable optical logic with electrical control.
• The design presents a promising approach for future optical computing and signal processing applications.