Ultra-low-power silicon photonics wavelength converter for phase-encoded telecommunication signals

C. Lacava; M. A. Ettabib; I. Cristiani; J.-M. Fedeli; D. J. Richardson; P. Petropoulos

doi:10.1117/12.2208766

14 March 2016 Ultra-low-power silicon photonics wavelength converter for phase-encoded telecommunication signals

C. Lacava, M. A. Ettabib, I. Cristiani, J.-M. Fedeli, D. J. Richardson, P. Petropoulos

Proceedings Volume 9752, Silicon Photonics XI; 975211 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2208766
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The development of compact, low power, silicon photonics CMOS compatible components for all-optical signal processing represents a key step towards the development of fully functional platforms for next generation all-optical communication networks. The wavelength conversion functionality at key nodes is highly desirable to achieve transparent interoperability and wavelength routing allowing efficient management of network resources operated with high speed, phase encoded signals. All optical wavelength conversion has already been demonstrated in Si-based devices, mainly utilizing the strong Kerr effect that silicon exhibits at telecommunication wavelengths. Unfortunately, Two Photon Absorption (TPA) and Free Carrier (FC) effects strongly limit their performance, even at moderate power levels, making them unsuitable for practical nonlinear applications. Amorphous silicon has recently emerged as a viable alternative to crystalline silicon (c-Si), showing both an enhanced Kerr as well as a reduced TPA coefficient at telecom wavelengths, with respect to its c-Si counterpart. Here we present an ultra-low power wavelength converter based on a passive, CMOS compatible, 1-mm long amorphous silicon waveguide operated at a maximum pump power level of only 70 mW. We demonstrate TPA-free Four Wave Mixing (FWM)-based wavelength conversion of Binary Phase Shift Keyed (BPSK) and Quadrature Phase Shift Keyed (QPSK) signals at 20 Gbit/s with <1 dB power penalty at BER = 10^-5.

Citation Download Citation

C. Lacava, M. A. Ettabib, I. Cristiani, J.-M. Fedeli, D. J. Richardson, and P. Petropoulos "Ultra-low-power silicon photonics wavelength converter for phase-encoded telecommunication signals", Proc. SPIE 9752, Silicon Photonics XI, 975211 (14 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2208766

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

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
6 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Waveguides

Silicon

Amorphous silicon

Silicon photonics

Telecommunications

Etching

Networks

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years