All-optical silicon-based integrated fiber-optic modulator, logic gate, and self-limiter

Abstract

We describe an all-optical mode cutoff modulator for use in fiber optics systems working at wavelengths in the 1.3–1.6-μm range. The active waveguide is silicon grown by molecular beam epitaxy, and the channels are fabricated by conventional lithographic techniques and used with standard single-mode fibers. Subnanosecond initiation and recovery times are achieved with less than 150 pJ of control energy in a three-port geometry suitable for use as a logic gate. We also present preliminary results when the guided light is near the bandgap energy and demonstrate self-limiting for integrating Kerr-like self-defocussing nonlinearities. In both cases, the operation of the device is largely wavelength independent and stable.