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Optical modulator using ultra-thin silicon waveguide in SOI hybrid technology

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Abstract

We propose a detailed study of an on-chip optical modulator using a non-conventional silicon-based platform. This platform is based on the optimum design of ultra-thin silicon on insulator waveguide. This platform is characterized by low field confinement inside the core waveguide and high sensitivity to the cladding index. Accordingly, it lends itself to a wide range of applications, such as sensing and optical modulation. By employing this waveguide into the Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration, an efficient optical modulator is reported using an organic polymer as an active material for the electro-optic effect. An extinction ratio of more than 20 dB is achieved with energy per bit of 13.21 fJ/bit for 0.5 V applied voltage. This studied platform shows promising and adequate performance for modulation applications. It is cheap and easy to fabricate.

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Data and material availability

Authors will make readily reproducible materials described in the manuscript, including new software, databases and all relevant raw data, freely available to any scientist wishing to use them, without breaching participant confidentiality. Authors will make their new software, databases, application/tool described in the manuscript available for testing by reviewers in a way that preserves the reviewers’ anonymity.

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Acknowledgements

This work was made possible by a NPRP award [NPRP 7-456-1-085] from the Qatar National Research Fund (member of the Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, AUC Avenue New Cairo, P.O. Box 74, Cairo, 11830, Egypt

    Ahmed B. Ayoub & Mohamed A. Swillam

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  1. Ahmed B. Ayoub
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  2. Mohamed A. Swillam
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Contributions

ABA conceived the basic idea and validated the concept of operation through computer-aided simulations. MAS supervised the entire project. All the authors contributed to the general discussion and revision of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Mohamed A. Swillam.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Optical and Quantum Sciences in Africa.

Guest edited by Salah Obayya, Alex Quandt, Andrew Forbes, Malik Maaza, Abdelmajid Belafhal and Mohamed Farhat.

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Ayoub, A.B., Swillam, M.A. Optical modulator using ultra-thin silicon waveguide in SOI hybrid technology. Opt Quant Electron 54, 181 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11082-021-03467-w

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