Towards a millivolt optical modulator with nano-slot waveguides.

We describe a class of modulator design involving slot waveguides and electro-optic polymer claddings. Such geometries enable massive enhancement of index tuning when compared to more conventional geometries. We present a semi-analytic method of predicting the index tuning achievable for a given geometry and electro-optic material. Based on these studies, as well as previous experimental results, we show designs for slot waveguide modulators that, when realized in a Mach-Zehnder configuration, will allow for modulation voltages that are orders of magnitude lower than the state of the art. We also discuss experimental results for nano-slot waveguides.

[1]  M. Tinker,et al.  Thermal and optical simulation of a photonic crystal light modulator based on the thermo-optic shift of the cut-off frequency. , 2005, Optics express.

[2]  M. Paniccia,et al.  A high-speed silicon optical modulator based on a metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitor , 2004, Nature.

[3]  Zhang,et al.  Low (Sub-1-volt) halfwave voltage polymeric electro-optic modulators achieved by controlling chromophore shape , 2000, Science.

[4]  T. Baehr‐Jones,et al.  Analysis of the tuning sensitivity of silicon-on-insulator optical ring resonators , 2005, Journal of Lightwave Technology.

[5]  E.L. Wooten,et al.  A review of lithium niobate modulators for fiber-optic communications systems , 2000, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics.

[6]  Broadband and low driving-voltage LiNbO3 optical modulators , 1998 .

[7]  Michael Hochberg,et al.  High-Q ring resonators in thin silicon-on-insulator , 2004 .

[8]  R Lawson,et al.  Optical modulation and detection in slotted Silicon waveguides. , 2005, Optics express.

[9]  N. Bloembergen,et al.  MICROWAVE MODULATION OF LIGHT IN PARAMAGNETIC CRYSTALS , 1960 .

[10]  M. Beck,et al.  Compact Mach-Zehnder acousto-optic modulator , 2006 .

[11]  R. Norwood,et al.  Hybrid polymer/sol–gel waveguide modulators with exceptionally large electro–optic coefficients , 2007 .

[12]  M. Lipson Guiding, modulating, and emitting light on Silicon-challenges and opportunities , 2005, Journal of Lightwave Technology.

[13]  Jingdong Luo,et al.  Ring resonator-based electrooptic polymer traveling-wave modulator , 2006, Journal of Lightwave Technology.

[14]  Michael Hochberg,et al.  Design and Fabrication of Segmented, Slotted Waveguides for Electro-Optic Modulation , 2007 .

[15]  Qianfan Xu,et al.  Guiding and confining light in void nanostructure. , 2004, Optics letters.

[16]  L. C. Gunn,et al.  Segmented waveguides in thin silicon-on-insulator , 2005 .

[17]  J. Whelehan,et al.  Low-noise amplifiers-then and now , 2002 .

[18]  Michael Hochberg,et al.  High-Q Optical Resonators in Silicon-on-Insulator-Based Slot Waveguides , 2005 .

[19]  M. Tamura,et al.  Very-low-driving-voltage electroabsorption modulators operating at 40 Gb/s , 2006, Journal of Lightwave Technology.