On chip control and detection of complex SPP and waveguide modes based on plasmonic interconnect circuits

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Nanophotonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Electrical interconnects face limitations in speed, energy efficiency, and miniaturization for high-performance computing and AI.
• Optical interconnects, particularly those using surface plasmon modes, offer a promising alternative for overcoming these challenges.
• Nanoscale photonic circuits are crucial for on-chip light manipulation and efficient data processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel plasmonic interconnect circuit designed for advanced optical signal processing.
• To enable selective excitation and transmission of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) and hybrid modes.
• To achieve efficient photocurrent conversion for electrical detection of optical signals.

Main Methods:

• Introduction of a refractive index matching layer to support diverse plasmonic modes.
• Optimization of coupling gratings for precise control of transmission modes at specific near-infrared wavelengths.
• Integration of selective mode excitation based on light wavelength and polarization, followed by photocurrent conversion.

Main Results:

• The developed plasmonic interconnect circuit successfully supports both pure SPP and various hybrid modes.
• Optimized gratings allowed fine-tuning of transmission modes for effective electrical detection at targeted wavelengths.
• Experimental data validated simulation results, confirming the device's capability to detect complex optical modes.

Conclusions:

• This novel plasmonic interconnect design advances nanoscale optical signal processing and transmission.
• The technology broadens applications in high-speed, compact optoelectronic devices and advanced sensor technologies.
• It enables more versatile and efficient data processing in computing and AI systems.