Abstract
We propose a novel and compact common mirror Michelson modulator (CMMM) with VπLπ of 0.38 V-cm. This is the best reported value of VπLπ for a silicon photonic Michelson modulator. Firstly, a simplified transfer matrix model evaluating the transmission response of CMMM is evaluated. We report the GDSII layout of CMMM using state of the art AIM PHOTONICS PDK with a design floorplan of 1200 µm × 500 µm. The inverted L shaped ILS-PN phase shifter (n = 1e18 cm−3; p = 3.5e17 cm−3) is proposed, evaluated and compared with the nominal horizontal PN variant. The ILS-PN variants have a higher value of phase change for a given Vbias and concentration. This leads to a better modulation efficiency (VπLπ of 0.38 V-cm) at a higher effective index modulation (3.4 × 10–4). The effect of doping profile (DP) and source impedance Zs on the bitrate and extinction ratio (ER) of the optical transmission is evaluated and speeds of 50 Gbps with ER of 3.21 dB and E/bit of 1.5 pJ/bit are reported for the novel ILS-PN based CMMM. Effect of DP and Zs on Bit error rate and ER of CMMM is evaluated for comparison.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Availability of data and materials
Data underlying the results presented in this paper are not publicly available at this time but may be obtained from the authors upon request.
References
Afroozeh, A.: Analysis of optical modulator based on silicon waveguide using FDTD. SILICON 14, 839–849 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-020-00883-7
Bogaerts, W., Chrostowski, L.: Silicon Photonics Circuit Design: Methods, Tools and Challenges. Laser Photon. Rev. 12, 1700237(1-29) (2018). https://doi.org/10.1002/lpor.201700237
Cao, W., Thomson, D.J., Nedeljkovic, M., et al.: High-speed silicon Michelson interferometer modulator and streamlined IMDD PAM-4 transmission of Mach-Zehnder modulators for the 2 μm wavelength band. Opt. Express 29, 14438–14451 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.418285
Cong, G., et al.: Ultra-compact non-travelling-wave silicon carrier-depletion Mach–Zehnder modulators towards high channel density integration. IEEE J. Select. Top. Quantum Electron. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTQE.2020.3027324
Dev, S., et al.: Compact and energy-efficient forward-biased PN silicon Mach–Zehnder modulator. IEEE Photon. J. 14(2), 1–7 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOT.2022.3152612
Dong, P., Chen, L., Chen, Y.K.: High-speed low-voltage single-drive push-pull silicon Mach–Zehnder modulators. Opt. Express 20(6), 6163–6169 (2012)
Hamdani, M., Qazi, G.: Highly efficient and compact silicon based novel Michelson interferometer modulator. Dev. Integr. Circuit (DevIC) (2021). https://doi.org/10.1109/DevIC50843.2021.9455841
Hamdani, M.A., Qazi, G.: Evaluating variability and improving tolerance in a novel and compact silicon photonic Michelson interferometer. SILICON (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-022-01677-9
Jesuwanth Sugesh, R.G., Sivasubramanian, A.: High modulation efficient silicon MZM with core-based split PN junction phase shifter. SILICON (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-01482-w
Kim, Y., et al.: A comparative simulation study on lateral and L-shaped PN junction phase shifters for single-drive 50 Gbps lumped Mach–Zehnder modulators. Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 60, 052002 (1-6) (2021). https://doi.org/10.35848/1347-4065/abeedd
Liao, Q., et al.: A 50-Gb/s PAM-4 silicon-photonic transmitter incorporating lumped-segment MZM, distributed CMOS driver, and integrated CDR. IEEE J. Solid State Circuits 57(3), 767–780 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1109/JSSC.2021.3134874
Mao, D., et al.: Electrode design for slow-light based Mach–Zehnder modulator in silicon photonics in OSA advanced photonics congress. OSA Tech. Digest (2021). https://doi.org/10.1364/CLEO_SI.2014.SM2G.5
Millar, C.A., Harvey, D., Urquhart, P.: Fibre reflection Mach–Zehnder interferometer. Opt. Commun. 70(4), 304–308 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-4018(89)90324-6
Murray, B., et al.: Predistortion for high-speed lumped silicon photonic Mach–Zehnder modulators. IEEE Photon. J. 14, 1–1 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOT.2022.3158255
Nedeljkovic, M., Soref, R., et al.: Free-carrier electrorefraction and electroabsorption modulation predictions for silicon over the 1–14-um infrared wavelength range. IEEE Photon. J. 3(6), 1171–1180 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOT.2011.2171930
Patel, D., et al.: High-speed compact silicon photonic Michelson interferometric modulator. Opt. Express 22, 26788–26802 (2014a). https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.22.026788
Patel, D, et al.: a lumped michelson interferometric modulator in silicon in CLEO: 2014, OSA technical digest (online) Optica Publishing Group, paper SM2G.5 (2014b). https://doi.org/10.1364/IPRSN.2021.IW1B.4
Poole, C., Darwazeh, I.: Chapter 11—Microwave Semiconductor Materials and Diodes Microwave Active Circuit Analysis and Design, pp. 355–393. . Academic Press, New York (2016)
Rahim, A., Hermans, A., Wohlfeil, B.: Taking silicon photonics modulators to a higher performance level: state-of-the-art and a review of new technologies. Adv. Photon. 3(2), 024003 (1-23) (2021). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.AP.3.2.024003
Shu, H., Chang, L., Tao, Y., et al.: Microcomb-driven silicon photonic systems. Nature 605, 457–463 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04579-3
Sugesh, R.G., Sivasubramanian, A.: Modelling and analysis of a corrugated PN junction phase shifter in silicon MZM. SILICON 14, 2669–2677 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-00990-z
Sun, S., et al.: Hybrid silicon and lithium niobate modulator in IEEE. J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 27(3), 1–12 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1109/JSTQE.2020.3036059
Wang, C., Zhang, M., Chen, X., et al.: Integrated lithium niobate electro-optic modulators operating at CMOS-compatible voltages. Nat Publ 562, 101–104 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0551-y
Wang, B., et al.: Modulation on silicon for datacom: the past, present, and the future (the invited review). Prog. Electromag. Res. 166, 119–145 (2019). https://doi.org/10.2528/PIER19102405
Funding
The study is based on funding from Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD), Government of India.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
The work was done by MAH under the supervision of GQ.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Ethical approval
Not Applicable.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Hamdani, M.A., Qazi, G. Modelling and theoretical analysis of a novel common mirror based silicon photonic Michelson modulator. Opt Quant Electron 55, 41 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-022-04312-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-022-04312-4