• Photonics Research
  • Vol. 10, Issue 1, 214 (2022)
Jiacheng Liu1、†, Gangqiang Zhou1、†, Jiangbing Du1、2、*, Weihong Shen1, Linjie Zhou1, and Zuyuan He1、2
Author Affiliations
  • 1State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
  • 2Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
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    DOI: 10.1364/PRJ.442699 Cite this Article Set citation alerts
    Jiacheng Liu, Gangqiang Zhou, Jiangbing Du, Weihong Shen, Linjie Zhou, Zuyuan He, "Silicon mode-loop Mach-Zehnder modulator with L-shaped PN junction for 0.37 V·cm VπL high-efficiency modulation," Photonics Res. 10, 214 (2022) Copy Citation Text show less

    Abstract

    Optical signaling without a high voltage driver for electric-optic modulation is in high demand to reduce power consumption, packaging complexity, and cost. In this work, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a silicon mode-loop Mach–Zehnder modulator (ML-MZM) with record-high modulation efficiency. We used a mode-loop structure to recycle light twice in the phase shifter. With an L-shaped PN junction, a comparably large overlap between the PN junction and optical modes of both TE0 and TE1 was achieved to lower the driving voltage or decrease the photonic device size. Proof-of-concept high-efficiency modulation with low VπL of 0.37 V·cm was obtained. Subvoltage Vπ can be realized with a millimeter’s length phase shifter by this scheme, which makes the realization of CMOS-compatible driverless modulation highly possible. 40 Gb/s signaling with a bit error rate below the 7% forward-error-correction threshold was then demonstrated with the fabricated ML-MZM, indicating great potential for high-speed optical communication.
    φ1(t)=gz=0Lv(tno1L+Mc+β1z)dz,

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    φ2(t)=gz=0Lv(tno2Lc+β2z)dz,

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    φ1(t)=gLv0sinc(Ωβ1L2π)cos[Ω(tno1L+Mc+β1L2)],

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    φ2(t)=gLv0sinc(Ωβ2L2π)cos[Ω(tno2Lc+β2L2)].

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    φ(t)=φ1(t)+φ2(t)=gLv0[Asin(Ωt)+Bsin(Ωt+θ)],

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    φ(t)=gLv0C(Ω)sin[Ωt+φ(Ω)],

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    SEO(Ω)=J1[2L·C(Ω)]J1[2L·C(0)],

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    Jiacheng Liu, Gangqiang Zhou, Jiangbing Du, Weihong Shen, Linjie Zhou, Zuyuan He, "Silicon mode-loop Mach-Zehnder modulator with L-shaped PN junction for 0.37 V·cm VπL high-efficiency modulation," Photonics Res. 10, 214 (2022)
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