Open AccessCompact silicon photonic resonance-assisted variable optical attenuator
Author(s) -
Xiaoxi Wang,
Ryan Aguinaldo,
Anthony L. Lentine,
Christopher T. DeRose,
Andrew Starbuck,
Douglas C. Trotter,
Andrew Pomerene,
Shayan Mookherjea
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.24.027600
Subject(s) - extinction ratio , attenuator (electronics) , optics , materials science , wavelength , photonics , silicon photonics , optical attenuator , silicon , optoelectronics , photonic integrated circuit , resonance (particle physics) , optical fiber , physics , attenuation , multi mode optical fiber , particle physics
A two-part silicon photonic variable optical attenuator is demonstrated in a compact footprint which can provide a high extinction ratio at wavelengths between 1520 nm and 1620 nm. The device was made by following the conventional p-i-n waveguide section by a high-extinction-ratio second-order microring filter section. The rings provide additional on-off contrast by utilizing a thermal resonance shift, which harvested the heat dissipated by current injection in the p-i-n junction. We derive and discuss a simple thermal-resistance model in explanation of these effects.