Photonics Research, 2017, 5 (5): 05000481, Published Online: Sep. 20, 2017
Electro-optic waveform interconnect based on quantum interference
(250.4110) Modulators (200.4650) Optical interconnects (270.5580) Quantum electrodynamics (250.5300) Photonic integrated circuits.
Abstract
The ability to modulate an optical field via an electric field is regarded as a key function of electro-optic interconnects, which are used in optical communications and information-processing systems. One of the main devices required for such interconnects is the electro-optic modulator (EOM). Current EOMs based on the electro-optic and electro-absorption effects often are bulky and power-inefficient due to the weak electro-optic properties of their constituent materials. Here, we propose a new mechanism to produce an arbitrary-waveform EOM based on quantum interference, in which both the real and imaginary parts of the susceptibility are engineered coherently with super-high efficiency. Based on this EOM, a waveform interconnect from the voltage to the modulated optical absorption is realized. We expect that such a new type of electro-optic interconnect will have a broad range of applications, including in optical communications and networks.
Li-Guo Qin, Zhong-Yang Wang, Shang-Qing Gong, Hong-Yang Ma. Electro-optic waveform interconnect based on quantum interference[J]. Photonics Research, 2017, 5(5): 05000481.