Low-power, 2×2 silicon electro-optic switch with 110-nm bandwidth for broadband reconfigurable optical networks
Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 26, pp. 24020-24029 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.024020
Acrobat PDF (433 KB)
Abstract
We present an ultra-broadband Mach-Zehnder based optical switch in silicon, electrically driven through carrier injection. Crosstalk levels lower than -17dB are obtained for both the ‘on’ and ‘off’ switching states over an optical bandwidth of 110nm, owing to the implementation of broadband 50% couplers. Full 2×2 switching functionality is demonstrated, with low power consumption (~3mW) and a fast switching time (<4ns). The utilization of standard CMOS metallization results in a low drive voltage (~1V) and a record-low VπL (~0.06V·mm). The wide optical bandwidth is maintained for temperature variations up to 30K.
© 2009 Optical Society of America
1. Introduction
A. F. Benner, M. Ignatowski, J. A. Kash, D. M. Kuchta, and M. B. Ritter, “Exploitation of optical interconnects in future server architectures,” IBM J. Res. Dev. 49(4–5), 755–775 (2005). [CrossRef]
T. Barwicz, H. Byun, F. Gan, C. W. Holzwarth, M. A. Popovic, P. T. Rakich, M. R. Watts, E. P. Ippen, F. X. Kartner, H. I. Smith, J. S. Orcutt, R. J. Ram, V. Stojanovic, O. O. Olubuyide, J. L. Hoyt, S. Spector, M. Geis, M. Grein, T. Lyszczarz, and J. U. Yoon, “Silicon photonics for compact, energy-efficient interconnects [Invited],” J. Opt. Netw. 6(1), 63–73 (2007). [CrossRef]
C. Batten, A. Joshi, J. Orcutt, A. Khilo, B. Moss, C. W. Holzwarth, M. A. Popovic, H. Q. Li, H. I. Smith, J. L. Hoyt, F. X. Kartner, R. J. Ram, V. Stojanovic, and K. Asanovic, “Building Many-Core Processor-to-DRAM Networks with Monolithic CMOS Silicon Photonics,” IEEE Micro 29(4), 8–21 (2009). [CrossRef]
J. Ahn, M. Fiorentino, R. G. Beausoleil, N. Binkert, A. Davis, D. Fattal, N. P. Jouppi, M. McLaren, C. M. Santori, R. S. Schreiber, S. M. Spillane, D. Vantrease, and Q. Xu, “Devices and architectures for photonic chip-scale integration,” Appl. Phys. A 95(4), 989–997 (2009). [CrossRef]
A. V. Krishnamoorthy, R. Ho, X. Z. Zheng, H. Schwetman, J. Lexau, P. Koka, G. L. Li, I. Shubin, and J. E. Cunningham, “Computer Systems Based on Silicon Photonic Interconnects,” Proc. IEEE 97(7), 1337–1361 (2009). [CrossRef]
A. Shacham, K. Bergman, and L. P. Carloni, “Photonic networks-on-chip for future generations of chip multi-processors,” IEEE Trans. Comput. 57(9), 1246–1260 (2008). [CrossRef]
H. F. Hamann, A. Weger, J. A. Lacey, Z. G. Hu, E. Cohen, and J. Wakil, “Hotspot-limited microprocessors: Direct temperature and power distribution measurements,” IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits 42(1), 56–65 (2007). [CrossRef]
Y. Vlasov, W. M. J. Green, and F. Xia, “High-throughput silicon nanophotonic wavelength-insensitive switch for on-chip optical networks,” Nature Photon. 2(4), 242–246 (2008). [CrossRef]
Y. Vlasov, W. M. J. Green, and F. Xia, “High-throughput silicon nanophotonic wavelength-insensitive switch for on-chip optical networks,” Nature Photon. 2(4), 242–246 (2008). [CrossRef]
B. G. Lee, A. Biberman, P. Dong, M. Lipson, and K. Bergman, “All-optical comb switch for multiwavelength message routing in silicon photonic networks,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 20(9–12), 767–769 (2008). [CrossRef]
2. Design of an ultra-broadband electro-optic switch in silicon
2.1. The conventional 2×2 Mach-Zehnder (MZ) switch
R. A. Soref and B. R. Bennett, “Electrooptical Effects in Silicon,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 23(1), 123–129 (1987). [CrossRef]
2.2. Design of a wavelength-insensitive Mach-Zehnder (WIMZ) switch
S. L. Tsao, H. C. Guo, and Y. J. Chen, “Design of a 2×2 MMI MZI SOI electro-optic switch covering C band and L band,” Microw. Opt. Technol. Lett. 33(4), 262–265 (2002). [CrossRef]
K. Jinguji, N. Takato, A. Sugita, and M. Kawachi, “Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Type Optical Wave-Guide Coupler with Wavelength-Flattened Coupling Ratio,” Electron. Lett. 26(17), 1326–1327 (1990). [CrossRef]
| BW (nm) | XTmax off (dB) | ILFCA off (dB) | XTmax on (dB) | ILFCA on (dB) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MZ | 35 | -20 | 0 | -20 | 0.8 |
| WIMZ | 110 | -20 | 0 | -19 | 0.8 |
T. Kitoh, N. Takato, K. Jinguji, M. Yasu, and M. Kawachi, “Novel Broad-Band Optical Switch Using Silica-Based Planar Lightwave Circuit,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 4(7), 735–737 (1992). [CrossRef]
3. Device fabrication
C. Lavoie, F. M. d’Heurle, C. Detavernier, and C. Cabral, “Towards implementation of a nickel silicide process for CMOS technologies,” Microelectron. Eng. 70(2–4), 144–157 (2003). [CrossRef]
4. Measurement results
4.1. Optical bandwidth
P. Dumon, G. Priem, L. R. Nunes, W. Bogaerts, D. Van Thourhout, P. Bienstman, T. K. Liang, M. Tsuchiya, P. Jaenen, S. Beckx, J. Wouters, and R. Baets, “Linear and nonlinear nanophotonic devices based on silicon-on-insulator wire waveguides,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 1 45(8B), 6589–6602 (2006). [CrossRef]
4.2. Intrinsic switching response
J. Van Campenhout, P. Rojo-Romeo, D. Van Thourhout, C. Seassal, P. Regreny, L. Di Cioccio, J. M. Fedeli, and R. Baets, “Thermal characterization of electrically injected thin-film InGaAsP microdisk lasers on Si,” J. Lightw. Technol. 25(6), 1543–1548 (2007). [CrossRef]
4.3. Switching speed
4.4. Tolerance to variations of the ambient temperature
4.5. Influence of self heating on switching performance
5. Discussion
A. Shacham, K. Bergman, and L. P. Carloni, “Photonic networks-on-chip for future generations of chip multi-processors,” IEEE Trans. Comput. 57(9), 1246–1260 (2008). [CrossRef]
A. Shacham, K. Bergman, and L. P. Carloni, “Photonic networks-on-chip for future generations of chip multi-processors,” IEEE Trans. Comput. 57(9), 1246–1260 (2008). [CrossRef]
6. Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References and links
A. F. Benner, M. Ignatowski, J. A. Kash, D. M. Kuchta, and M. B. Ritter, “Exploitation of optical interconnects in future server architectures,” IBM J. Res. Dev. 49(4–5), 755–775 (2005). [CrossRef] | |
T. Barwicz, H. Byun, F. Gan, C. W. Holzwarth, M. A. Popovic, P. T. Rakich, M. R. Watts, E. P. Ippen, F. X. Kartner, H. I. Smith, J. S. Orcutt, R. J. Ram, V. Stojanovic, O. O. Olubuyide, J. L. Hoyt, S. Spector, M. Geis, M. Grein, T. Lyszczarz, and J. U. Yoon, “Silicon photonics for compact, energy-efficient interconnects [Invited],” J. Opt. Netw. 6(1), 63–73 (2007). [CrossRef] | |
C. Batten, A. Joshi, J. Orcutt, A. Khilo, B. Moss, C. W. Holzwarth, M. A. Popovic, H. Q. Li, H. I. Smith, J. L. Hoyt, F. X. Kartner, R. J. Ram, V. Stojanovic, and K. Asanovic, “Building Many-Core Processor-to-DRAM Networks with Monolithic CMOS Silicon Photonics,” IEEE Micro 29(4), 8–21 (2009). [CrossRef] | |
J. Ahn, M. Fiorentino, R. G. Beausoleil, N. Binkert, A. Davis, D. Fattal, N. P. Jouppi, M. McLaren, C. M. Santori, R. S. Schreiber, S. M. Spillane, D. Vantrease, and Q. Xu, “Devices and architectures for photonic chip-scale integration,” Appl. Phys. A 95(4), 989–997 (2009). [CrossRef] | |
A. V. Krishnamoorthy, R. Ho, X. Z. Zheng, H. Schwetman, J. Lexau, P. Koka, G. L. Li, I. Shubin, and J. E. Cunningham, “Computer Systems Based on Silicon Photonic Interconnects,” Proc. IEEE 97(7), 1337–1361 (2009). [CrossRef] | |
A. Shacham, K. Bergman, and L. P. Carloni, “Photonic networks-on-chip for future generations of chip multi-processors,” IEEE Trans. Comput. 57(9), 1246–1260 (2008). [CrossRef] | |
H. F. Hamann, A. Weger, J. A. Lacey, Z. G. Hu, E. Cohen, and J. Wakil, “Hotspot-limited microprocessors: Direct temperature and power distribution measurements,” IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits 42(1), 56–65 (2007). [CrossRef] | |
Y. Vlasov, W. M. J. Green, and F. Xia, “High-throughput silicon nanophotonic wavelength-insensitive switch for on-chip optical networks,” Nature Photon. 2(4), 242–246 (2008). [CrossRef] | |
B. G. Lee, A. Biberman, P. Dong, M. Lipson, and K. Bergman, “All-optical comb switch for multiwavelength message routing in silicon photonic networks,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 20(9–12), 767–769 (2008). [CrossRef] | |
W. M. J. Green, M. J. Rooks, L. Sekaric, and Y. A. Vlasov, “Ultra-compact, low RF power, 10 Gb/s silicon Mach-Zehnder modulator,” Opt. Express 15(25), 17,106–17,113 (2007). | |
J. Van Campenhout, W. M. J. Green, and Y. A. Vlasov, “Design of a digital, utra-broadband optical switch for reconfigurable optical networks-on-chip,” Opt. Express (to be published). | |
R. A. Soref and B. R. Bennett, “Electrooptical Effects in Silicon,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 23(1), 123–129 (1987). [CrossRef] | |
S. L. Tsao, H. C. Guo, and Y. J. Chen, “Design of a 2×2 MMI MZI SOI electro-optic switch covering C band and L band,” Microw. Opt. Technol. Lett. 33(4), 262–265 (2002). [CrossRef] | |
K. Jinguji, N. Takato, A. Sugita, and M. Kawachi, “Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Type Optical Wave-Guide Coupler with Wavelength-Flattened Coupling Ratio,” Electron. Lett. 26(17), 1326–1327 (1990). [CrossRef] | |
T. Kitoh, N. Takato, K. Jinguji, M. Yasu, and M. Kawachi, “Novel Broad-Band Optical Switch Using Silica-Based Planar Lightwave Circuit,” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 4(7), 735–737 (1992). [CrossRef] | |
C. Lavoie, F. M. d’Heurle, C. Detavernier, and C. Cabral, “Towards implementation of a nickel silicide process for CMOS technologies,” Microelectron. Eng. 70(2–4), 144–157 (2003). [CrossRef] | |
S. Assefa, C. Jahnes, and Y. Vlasov, “CMOS compatible integrated dielectric optical waveguide coupler and fabrication,” US patent application, 12/164580 (2008). | |
P. Dumon, G. Priem, L. R. Nunes, W. Bogaerts, D. Van Thourhout, P. Bienstman, T. K. Liang, M. Tsuchiya, P. Jaenen, S. Beckx, J. Wouters, and R. Baets, “Linear and nonlinear nanophotonic devices based on silicon-on-insulator wire waveguides,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 1 45(8B), 6589–6602 (2006). [CrossRef] | |
J. Van Campenhout, P. Rojo-Romeo, D. Van Thourhout, C. Seassal, P. Regreny, L. Di Cioccio, J. M. Fedeli, and R. Baets, “Thermal characterization of electrically injected thin-film InGaAsP microdisk lasers on Si,” J. Lightw. Technol. 25(6), 1543–1548 (2007). [CrossRef] | |
F. N. Xia, M. Rooks, L. Sekaric, and Y. Vlasov, “Ultra-compact high order ring resonator filters using submicron silicon photonic wires for on-chip optical interconnects,” Opt. Express 15(19), 11,934–11,941 (2007). |
OCIS Codes
(130.4815) Integrated optics : Optical switching devices
(250.6715) Optoelectronics : Switching
ToC Category:
Integrated Optics
History
Original Manuscript: November 10, 2009
Revised Manuscript: December 10, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: December 13, 2009
Published: December 16, 2009
Citation
Joris Van Campenhout, William M. Green, Solomon Assefa, and Yurii A. Vlasov, "Low-power, 2×2 silicon electro-optic switch with 110-nm bandwidth for broadband reconfigurable optical networks," Opt. Express 17, 24020-24029 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-26-24020
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References
- A. F. Benner, M. Ignatowski, J. A. Kash, D. M. Kuchta, and M. B. Ritter, "Exploitation of optical interconnects in future server architectures," IBM J. Res. Dev. 49(4-5), 755-775 (2005). [CrossRef]
- T. Barwicz, H. Byun, F. Gan, C. W. Holzwarth, M. A. Popovic, P. T. Rakich, M. R. Watts, E. P. Ippen, F. X. Kartner, H. I. Smith, J. S. Orcutt, R. J. Ram, V. Stojanovic, O. O. Olubuyide, J. L. Hoyt, S. Spector, M. Geis, M. Grein, T. Lyszczarz, and J. U. Yoon, "Silicon photonics for compact, energy-efficient interconnects [Invited]," J. Opt. Netw. 6(1), 63-73 (2007). [CrossRef]
- C. Batten, A. Joshi, J. Orcutt, A. Khilo, B. Moss, C. W. Holzwarth, M. A. Popovic, H. Q. Li, H. I. Smith, J. L. Hoyt, F. X. Kartner, R. J. Ram, V. Stojanovic, and K. Asanovic, "Building Many-Core Processor-to-DRAM Networks with Monolithic CMOS Silicon Photonics," IEEE Micro 29(4), 8-21 (2009). [CrossRef]
- J. Ahn, M. Fiorentino, R. G. Beausoleil, N. Binkert, A. Davis, D. Fattal, N. P. Jouppi, M. McLaren, C. M. Santori, R. S. Schreiber, S. M. Spillane, D. Vantrease, and Q. Xu, "Devices and architectures for photonic chip-scale integration," Appl. Phys. A 95(4), 989-997 (2009). [CrossRef]
- A. V. Krishnamoorthy, R. Ho, X. Z. Zheng, H. Schwetman, J. Lexau, P. Koka, G. L. Li, I. Shubin, and J. E. Cunningham, "Computer Systems Based on Silicon Photonic Interconnects," Proc. IEEE 97(7), 1337-1361 (2009). [CrossRef]
- A. Shacham, K. Bergman, and L. P. Carloni, "Photonic networks-on-chip for future generations of chip multiprocessors," IEEE Trans. Comput. 57(9), 1246-1260 (2008). [CrossRef]
- H. F. Hamann, A. Weger, J. A. Lacey, Z. G. Hu, E. Cohen, and J. Wakil, "Hotspot-limited microprocessors: Direct temperature and power distribution measurements," IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits 42(1), 56-65 (2007). [CrossRef]
- Y. Vlasov, W. M. J. Green, and F. Xia, "High-throughput silicon nanophotonic wavelength-insensitive switch for on-chip optical networks," Nature Photon. 2(4), 242-246 (2008). [CrossRef]
- B. G. Lee, A. Biberman, P. Dong, M. Lipson, and K. Bergman, "All-optical comb switch for multiwavelength message routing in silicon photonic networks," IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 20(9-12), 767-769 (2008). [CrossRef]
- W. M. J. Green, M. J. Rooks, L. Sekaric, and Y. A. Vlasov, "Ultra-compact, low RF power, 10 Gb/s silicon Mach-Zehnder modulator," Opt. Express 15(25), 17,106-17,113 (2007).
- J. Van Campenhout, W. M. J. Green, and Y. A. Vlasov, "Design of a digital, utra-broadband optical switch for reconfigurable optical networks-on-chip," Opt. Express (to be published).
- R. A. Soref and B. R. Bennett, "Electrooptical Effects in Silicon," IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 23(1), 123-129 (1987). [CrossRef]
- S. L. Tsao, H. C. Guo, and Y. J. Chen, "Design of a 2 x 2 MMI MZI SOI electro-optic switch covering C band and L band," Microw. Opt. Technol. Lett. 33(4), 262-265 (2002). [CrossRef]
- K. Jinguji, N. Takato, A. Sugita, and M. Kawachi, "Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Type Optical Wave-Guide Coupler with Wavelength-Flattened Coupling Ratio," Electron. Lett. 26(17), 1326-1327 (1990). [CrossRef]
- T. Kitoh, N. Takato, K. Jinguji, M. Yasu, and M. Kawachi, "Novel Broad-Band Optical Switch Using Silica-Based Planar Lightwave Circuit," IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 4(7), 735-737 (1992). [CrossRef]
- C. Lavoie, F. M. d’Heurle, C. Detavernier, and C. Cabral, "Towards implementation of a nickel silicide process for CMOS technologies," Microelectron. Eng. 70(2-4), 144-157 (2003). [CrossRef]
- S. Assefa, C. Jahnes, and Y. Vlasov, "CMOS compatible integrated dielectric optical waveguide coupler and fabrication," US patent application, 12/164580 (2008).
- P. Dumon, G. Priem, L. R. Nunes, W. Bogaerts, D. Van Thourhout, P. Bienstman, T. K. Liang, M. Tsuchiya, P. Jaenen, S. Beckx, J. Wouters, and R. Baets, "Linear and nonlinear nanophotonic devices based on silicon-oninsulator wire waveguides," Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 45(8B), 6589-6602 (2006). [CrossRef]
- J. Van Campenhout, P. Rojo-Romeo, D. Van Thourhout, C. Seassal, P. Regreny, L. Di Cioccio, J. M. Fedeli, and R. Baets, "Thermal characterization of electrically injected thin-film InGaAsP microdisk lasers on Si," J. Lightwave Technol. 25(6), 1543-1548 (2007). [CrossRef]
- F. N. Xia, M. Rooks, L. Sekaric, and Y. Vlasov, "Ultra-compact high order ring resonator filters using submicron silicon photonic wires for on-chip optical interconnects," Opt. Express 15(19), 11,934-11,941 (2007).
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