Integrated nonlinear Mach Zehnder for 40 Gbit/s all-optical switching

Lacava, C., Strain, M.J., Minzioni, P., Cristiani, I. and Sorel, M. (2013) Integrated nonlinear Mach Zehnder for 40 Gbit/s all-optical switching. Optics Express, 21(18), p. 21587. (doi: 10.1364/OE.21.021587)

Abstract

We report on the experimental demonstration of a novel silicon based fully integrated nonlinear Mach Zehnder device. A standard silicon waveguide is used as a nonlinear arm, conversely a large mode SU-8 waveguide acts as a purely linear arm. Given this asymmetry, an intensity dependent phase shift can be introduced between the two interferometric arms. Thanks to a fine tuning of the silicon arm optical properties, a low power, ultrafast, picosecond operation is demonstrated, allowing the use of this device for ultrafast all-optical signal processing in high density communication networks.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sorel, Professor Marc and Strain, Dr Michael
• Authors: Lacava, C., Strain, M.J., Minzioni, P., Cristiani, I., and Sorel, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Optics Express
• Publisher: Optical Society of America
• ISSN: 1094-4087