Open AccessThermo-optic tuning and switching in SOI waveguide Fabry-Perot microcavities
Author(s) -
Marcel W. Pruessner,
Todd H. Stievater,
Mike S. Ferraro,
William S. Rabinovich
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.007557
Subject(s) - silicon on insulator , finesse , fabry–pérot interferometer , materials science , optics , optoelectronics , waveguide , silicon , silicon photonics , resonator , physics , wavelength
Compact silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide thermo-optically tunable Fabry-Perot microcavities with silicon/air Bragg mirrors are demonstrated. Quality factors of Q=4,584 are measured with finesse F=82. Tuning is achieved by flowing current directly through the silicon cavity resulting in efficient thermo-optic tuning over 2 nm for less than 50 mW applied electrical power. The high-Q cavities enable fast switching (1.9 mus rise time) at low drive power (<10 mW). By overdriving the device, rise times of 640 ns are obtained. Various device improvements are discussed.