Nonlinear micro-ring resonators for optical switching applications

We propose to use nonlinear optical (NLO) polymer to fabricate microring resonator device for all-optical switching application. In the proposed device NLO polymer provides the saturable absorption nonlinearity and microring resonator provides the feedback needed for optical bistability. Waveguide confinement and field intensity build-up in the ring resonator both facilitate the nonlinear optical process, making it possible to achieve low switching intensity. Moreover, the size of microrings is in the range of several tens of micro-meters, which is promising for high-speed optical switching as well as for high-density integration. We present detailed analysis of the device operation and identify key facts for the optimization of the devices. We propose to use nanoimprinting lithography technique to create microring resonator structures in NLO polymers, and show our initial results that prove the feasibility of this approach.

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