Hybrid electro-optic plasmonic modulators based on directional coupler switches

Abstract

By breaking the diffraction limit, plasmonics enable the miniaturization of integrated optical signal processing units in a platform compatible with traditional CMOS technology. In such architectures, modulators and switches are essential elements for fast and low-power optical signal processing. This work presents the design of a CMOS-compatible hybrid plasmonic modulator based on directional couplers enhanced with a layer of electro-optic polymer. The modulator shows very broad operating window with low crosstalk values and very small footprint with respect to similar couplers and switches of the silicon photonics platform.