Abstract

Mode-division multiplexing (MDM), which could further increase the capacity and flexibility of the communication systems, has attracted much attention. In this Letter, we demonstrate a proof-of-principle silicon mode-insensitive modulator based on the balanced Mach–Zehnder interferometer that could realize modulation of both TE₀ and TE₁ modes using a horizontal PN junction. The PN junction is offset from the center of the waveguide to the n-type doped region to modulate both TE₀ and TE₁ modes effectively. An adiabatic directional coupler is used as a mode-insensitive 3-dB power splitter for both modes. A mode-insensitive thermal phase shifter is used to change the operation point of the modulator. On-off keying modulation at 32 Gb/s is successfully demonstrated for both TE₀ and TE₁ modes. This modulator can be potentially used in MDM-assisted optical sampling systems.

© 2022 Optica Publishing Group

Silicon reconfigurable mode-selective modulation for on-chip mode-multiplexed photonic systems

Gangqiang Zhou, Yuyao Guo, Liangjun Lu, Jianping Chen, and Linjie Zhou
Opt. Lett. 46(5) 1145-1148 (2021)

Mode insensitive switch for on-chip interconnect mode division multiplexing systems

Guowu Zhang, Hassan Rahbardar Mojaver, Alok Das, and Odile Liboiron-Ladouceur
Opt. Lett. 45(4) 811-814 (2020)

Coplanar-waveguide-based silicon Mach–Zehnder modulator using a meandering optical waveguide and alternating-side PN junction loading

Po Dong, Jeffrey H. Sinsky, and Chengcheng Gui
Opt. Lett. 41(18) 4401-4404 (2016)

Silicon mode-loop Mach-Zehnder modulator with L-shaped PN junction for 0.37 V·cm V_πL high-efficiency modulation

Jiacheng Liu, Gangqiang Zhou, Jiangbing Du, Weihong Shen, Linjie Zhou, and Zuyuan He
Photon. Res. 10(1) 214-221 (2022)

Single-chip hybrid integrated silicon photonics transmitter based on passive alignment

Mingjin Wang, Wenzhen Liu, Yuanbo Xu, Ting Fu, Jingxuan Chen, and Wanhua Zheng
Opt. Lett. 47(7) 1709-1712 (2022)