Ultra-low energy switches based on silicon photonic crystals for on-chip optical interconnects

Sean P. Anderson; Philippe M. Fauchet

doi:10.1117/12.843592

16 February 2010 Ultra-low energy switches based on silicon photonic crystals for on-chip optical interconnects

Proceedings Volume 7606, Silicon Photonics V; 76060R (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.843592
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2010, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Although switching techniques based on charge injection in silicon have progressed greatly in recent years, switching energies are still above 10 fJ/bit, which is considered the threshold for practical implementation in on-chip optical interconnects. This is due primarily to silicon's relatively weak electro-optic response, as well as the large physical extent of existing switching geometries, both of which increase the energy required to achieve switching. By using a resonant approach in which the optical mode is spatially tightly confined, however, the volume of active material is decreased, resulting in reduced switching energy. In this paper we report on the use of a thin MOS capacitor to inject charge into a resonator based on a photonic crystal microcavity. By injecting charge only into the volume in which the optical mode is localized, switching energy can be reduced below 1 fJ/bit. The index shift available (Δn ~ 0.001) allows the use of a relatively low-Q resonator (Q ~ 550), enabling high optical bandwidth of 100 Gbps with a device footprint below 25 μm².

Citation Download Citation

Sean P. Anderson and Philippe M. Fauchet "Ultra-low energy switches based on silicon photonic crystals for on-chip optical interconnects", Proc. SPIE 7606, Silicon Photonics V, 76060R (16 February 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.843592

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available