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Silicon photonic MZI sensor array employing on-chip wavelength multiplexing

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Abstract

In this work, we present a novel wavelength multiplexing concept for an integrated label-free biosensor array employing silicon photonic Mach-Zehnder interferometers as sensors. Microring resonators act as wavelength selective elements in order to address the individual interferometers. Wire Bragg gratings terminate the interferometer arms and reflect the light back, which eliminates the risk of a wavelength mismatch between drop and add port. The characteristics of the device are discussed and the design based on FEM and 3D-FDTD simulations as well as measurements of the nanophotonic key components—micro ring resonators, Mach-Zehnder interferometers and photonic wire Bragg gratings—are presented. Measurements of combinations of the wire Bragg gratings with ring resonators and Mach-Zehnder interferometer sensors demonstrate the applicability of the reflectors in photonic circuits.

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Correspondence to P. Muellner.

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Muellner, P., Bruck, R., Baus, M. et al. Silicon photonic MZI sensor array employing on-chip wavelength multiplexing. Opt Quant Electron 44, 557–562 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-012-9557-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-012-9557-0

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