Optical Interconnection Architectures based on Microring Resonators

Abstract: Microring resonators are an interesting device to build integrated optical interconnects, but their asymmetric loss behavior could limit the scalability of classical optical interconnects. We present new interconnects able to increase scalability with limited complexity

Opportunities for optics in integrated circuits applications

Optics potentially addresses two key problems in electronic chips and systems: interconnects and timing. Short optical pulses (e.g., picoseconds or shorter) offer particularly precise timing. Results are shown for optical and electrical four-phase clocking, with <1 ps rms jitter for the optical case

Nd-doped polymer waveguide amplifiers at 850-930 nm

Nd-complex-doped, polymer channel waveguides were realized on thermally oxidized silicon wafers by a simple fabrication procedure. Broadband optical gain was demonstrated at 850-930 nm. Internal net gain up to 5.3 dB/cm was obtained at 850 nm, which is very promising for optical amplification in optical backplanes. With this result a route toward low-cost integrated waveguide amplifiers for optical interconnects has been opened

CMOS-compatible graphene photodetector covering all optical communication bands

Optical interconnects are becoming attractive alternatives to electrical wiring in intra- and inter-chip communication links. Particularly, the integration with silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology has received considerable interest due to the ability of cost-effective integration of electronics and optics on a single chip. While silicon enables the realization of optical waveguides and passive components, the integration of another, optically absorbing, material is required for photodetection. Germanium or compound semiconductors are traditionally used for this purpose; their integration with silicon technology, however, faces major challenges. Recently, graphene has emerged as a viable alternative for optoelectronic applications, including photodetection. Here, we demonstrate an ultra-wideband CMOS-compatible photodetector based on graphene. We achieve multi-gigahertz operation over all fiber-optic telecommunication bands, beyond the wavelength range of strained germanium photodetectors, whose responsivity is limited by their bandgap. Our work complements the recent demonstration of a CMOS-integrated graphene electro-optical modulator, paving the way for carbon-based optical interconnects.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures. Nature Photonics, 201