Optical modulator based on silicon nanowires racetrack resonator

Abstract

An optical modulator based on the racetrack resonator configuration is introduced.The structure of the resonator modulator is built from silicon nanowires on silica.The cladding and voids between the silicon nanowires are filled with an electro-optic polymer. The proposed modulator is fully CMOS compatible. When the resonance is tuned to the 1.55 m wavelength, it experiences a wavelength shift upon voltage application, which is measured at the output as a change in the power level.