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Published on: July 18, 2015
Ultra-compact grating-coupled nanophotonic resistive switch
Optics Letters
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed an ultra-compact nanophotonic resistive switch for high-density photonic integrated circuits. This novel device integrates optical coupling and resistive switching, enabling efficient electro-optic modulation and nonvolatile memory applications.
Area of Science:
- Photonics and Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Minimizing device footprint is critical for advancing high-density programmable photonic integrated circuits.
- Integrating optical and electronic functionalities on a single chip is a key challenge in photonic device development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an ultra-compact grating-coupled nanophotonic resistive switch.
- To demonstrate its potential for nonvolatile photonic memory and computing applications.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hybrid Ag/SiO2/ITO platform on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate.
- Integration of optical coupling, hybrid mode confinement, and resistive switching within a single grating structure.
- Characterization of electro-optic modulation, switching parameters, endurance, retention, and switching speed.
Main Results:
- Achieved an ultra-compact device length of ~24 µm.
- Demonstrated efficient electro-optic modulation with a 19.4 dB extinction ratio.
- Exhibited stable bipolar switching (SET/RESET voltages: +3.2 V/-3 V), endurance (>200 cycles), retention (>10^4 s), and fast switching (~100 ns).
Conclusions:
- The proposed device offers a promising solution for high-density photonic memories and programmable photonic integrated circuits.
- Its compact size and nonvolatile optical functionality pave the way for advanced photonic computing and memory systems.
