048Tb/s (12x40Gb/s) WDM transmission and high-quality thermo-optic switching in dielectric loaded plasmonics

Abstract

We demonstrate Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM)-enabled transmission of 480Gb/s aggregate data traffic (12x40Gb/s) as well as high-quality 1x2 thermo-optic tuning in Dielectric-Loaded Surface Plasmon Polariton Waveguides (DLSPPWs). The WDM transmission characteristics have been verified through BER measurements by exploiting the heterointegration of a 60 μm-long straight DLSPPW on a Silicon-on-Insulator waveguide platform, showing error-free performance for six out of the twelve channels. High-quality thermo-optic tuning has been achieved by utilizing Cycloaliphatic-Acrylate-Polymer as an efficient thermo-optic polymer loading employed in a dual-resonator DLSPPW switching structure, yielding a 9 nm wavelength shift and extinction ratio values higher than 10 dB at both output ports when heated to 90°C.

Field-effect induced tunability in hyperbolic metamaterials

“…This approach has potential to yield a power-efficient tunable visible frequency hyperbolic metamaterial with ultrafast (~fs) modulation that is robust and compatible with current optical technology. Potential tuning mechanisms include modifying the complex dielectric function of component materials via phase transitions [27], mechanical deformations [28] as well as electronic mechanisms [29,30] for tuning such as carrier accumulation and depletion [31]. Among these, field effect modulation is particularly attractive because of its robustness and very low power dissipation in steady state.…”

A compact plasmonic MOS-based 2×2 electro-optic switch

“…An interesting finding is that the insertion loss can be about 1-2 dB only; this is not only about an order of magnitude lower compare to~19.8 dB insertion loss obtained by a directional coupler structure [4], but also states that plasmonics is not necessarily a high-loss technology [35]. This denotes that plasmonics can be strategically used to enhance the LMI, if synergistically integrated in passive data routing (i.e.…”

Merging Plasmonics and Silicon Photonics Towards Greener and Faster “Network-on-Chip” Solutions for Data Centers and High-Performance Computing Systems

“…The evaluation of the WDM data transmission capabilities of plasmonics is initially carried out via a 60μm-long PMMA-loaded straight waveguide that is included in a Si-plasmonic chip [31], [38]. This chip comprises Si rib waveguides, DLSPP waveguides and Si-to-DLSPP interfaces that follow the specifications presented in Section 2.2 as well as Si TM grating couplers so as to enable optical communication with the outside world.…”

“…Another approach for bringing down the consumed power is the utilization of polymer materials with higher TOC value instead of PMMA loadings. For example, Cycloaliphatic acrylate (Cyclomer) exhibits almost three times higher TOC than PMMA and has been already successfully applied as the polymer loading in DLSPP switching structures [34], [38]. Though yet not optimized for lowenergy switching operation, this route is expected to significantly decrease the required energy levels without compromising the switching performance.…”

“…In this perspective, silicon photonics can be used for low-loss optical transmission in passive interconnection components, plasmonics can provide small footprint and low power consumption in active switching modules and electronics can be employed for intelligent decision-making mechanisms. However, considering that plasmonic technology is a premature technology with only a few years of development compared to silicon photonics and with limited functionality so far, the way towards the implementation of such hybrid NoC environments requires priorly: a) the interconnection between silicon and plasmonic waveguide structures in a SOI platform in order to avoid the employment of high-loss plasmonic waveguides for passive circuitry [30], [37], b) the proof of the credentials of plasmonics in wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) applications so as to support the complete portfolio of optics [38], c) the demonstration of functional active plasmonic circuitries in realistic data traffic environments [25], [31].…”