Nonlinear functionalities in ring resonators

Main Researcher: Gino Priem

Using SOI ring resonators, different nonlinear contributions to the refractive index and absorption are investigated. It was found that thermal effects are dominant, but also a large contribution due to free carriers is present. Using a 4 um radius ring, thermal bistability was obtained with input powers below 0.3mW.

For the first time, we also demonstrated unstable behaviour, which forms an important limitation for thermal all-optical switching, but also has potential for pulse generation.

In addition, free-carrier based all-optical switching was
demonstrated with a pump power of only 0.66 mW. At larger pump
powers, we again observed unstable behaviour, which limits the obtainable modulation depth. Despite these considerations, applications along the lines of packet-based all-optical
routing are possible.

Other people involved:

• Gino Priem

Publications

International Journals


1. P. Dumon, G.R.A. Priem, L.R. Nunes, W. Bogaerts, D. Van Thourhout, P. Bienstman, T.K. Liang, M. Tsuchiya, P. Jaenen, S. Beckx, J. Wouters, R. Baets, Linear and nonlinear nanophotonic devices based on silicon-on-insulator wire waveguides, Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, 45(8B), p.6589-6602 doi:10.1143/jjap.45.6589 (2006)  .
2. G.R.A. Priem, P. Dumon, W. Bogaerts, D. Van Thourhout, G. Morthier, R. Baets, Optical bistability and pulsating behaviour in Silicon-On-Insulator ring resonator structures, Optics Express, 13(23), p.9623 - 9628 doi:10.1364/opex.13.009623 (2005)  .