Behnam Banan

Multichannel Transmission Through a Gold Strip Plasmonic Waveguide Embedded in Cytop

In this paper, we experimentally characterize a low-loss polymer-based plasmonic waveguide and present its system-level performance for transmitting multiple on-off keying modulated channels (4 × 49 Gb/s). The same waveguide also exhibits the capability of transmitting multiple differential phase shift keying modulated channels (4 × 10 Gb/s). Signal transmission has been verified through bit-error-rate measurements. The plasmonic waveguide consists of a 3.6-mm-long, 5-μm-wide, and 35-nm-thick gold strip embedded in Cytop polymer and exhibits a total optical insertion loss of approximately 13 dB at a free-space optical wavelength of 1.55 μm.

A Source-Synchronous Architecture Using Mode-Division Multiplexing for On-Chip Silicon Photonic Interconnects

A source-synchronous interconnect using mode-division multiplexing (MDM) for potential use in on-chip applications is experimentally demonstrated using a 3-mode 750 μm Silicon photonics structure. Results are presented for simultaneous transmission of two data channels on two separate modes (bit error rate <; 10-12 at 10 Gb/s) sampled by an optically forwarded clock sent on a third separate mode. Performance assessment of the mode assignment for the clock is presented. The investigation shows that an optimum clock placement is important at wavelengths where modal crosstalk is higher. For example, at 1553 nm, the clocks jitter decreases from 45 ps down to 2.7 ps where the clock is encoded on a mode with high crosstalk (-18.6 dB) to one that has less crosstalk (-28.6 dB). At 1560 nm where modal crosstalk is better, the clocks jitter is 2.6 ps (-27.8 dB crosstalk) and 1.1 ps (-34 dB crosstalk) without and with optimum clock placement, respectively. With proper clock to mode assignment, the optical interconnect becomes functional across an optical bandwidth of 11 nm enabling MDM-wavelength-division multiplexing architectures.

Simultaneous high-capacity optical and microwave data transmission over metal waveguides

The implementation of power efficient and high throughput chip-to-chip interconnects is necessary to keep pace with the bandwidth demands in high-performance computing platforms. In recent years, considerable effort has been made to optimize inter-chip communications using traditional copper waveguides. Also, optical links are extensively investigated as an alternative technology for fast and efficient data routing. For the first time, we experimentally demonstrate simultaneous microwave and optical high-speed data transmission over metallic waveguides embedded in polymer. The demonstration is significant as it merges two layers of communications onto the same structure towards increased aggregated bandwidth, and energy-efficient data movement.

Fabrication of metal strip waveguides for optical and microwave data transmission

Metal strip waveguides and devices suitable for high-speed digital signal transmission at both microwave and optical frequencies are fabricated and demonstrated in this work. The waveguide structure consists of three metal strips forming a coplanar waveguide (CPW) to support a microwave mode. In the proposed structure, the signal line consists of a copper strip sandwiched between two thin gold layers. The CPW ground planes are thin gold strips supporting long-range surface plasmon polaritons (LRSPPs) at optical frequencies. Thus, the proposed structure can simultaneously support LRSPPs at optical frequencies and microwave signals up to at least 40 GHz. The metalizations are patterned using bilayer photolithography followed by thermal evaporation. Then, to create the signal waveguide, an O2 plasma etch of the cladding and copper E-beam evaporation are used. The fabrication process steps are verified through experimental characterization. Microwave and optical transmission through the fabricated devices is ...

Investigation of a flexible on-chip interconnection using a plasmonic strip waveguide

We optically characterize a plasmonic waveguide and investigate its potential as an electrical link. The 1-mm gold strip exhibits 1 dB optical propagation loss and supports GHz-range electrical bandwidth with electrical loss under 3 dB.

Demonstration of Mode-Division Multiplexing for On-Chip Source-Synchronous Communications

Mode-division multiplexing is exploited in a Silicon Photonics based source-synchronous link for intrachip communications. Experimental results are presented with bit-error-rate performance of 10−12 on a two-mode device for proof of concept.

Demonstration of a reusable plasmonic polymer microarray sensing platform

High throughput plasmonic sensors are a popular research field, standard surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instruments can achieve high throughput only in imaging configuration. This leads to consideration of pattern substrates and isolated nanoparticle arrays, both of which have some disadvantages. Spot functionalisation relies upon mask or pin printing to accomplish density, and this increase the complexity of use and standard operating procedures. Both patterned and nanoparticle arrays assay platforms are also commonly single use, unlike some SPR imaging and multi channel angular sensing SPR approaches. The microarray format proposed here is intended for multiple usages and regenerated, with a simple optical readout method. A plasmonic polymer of exquisite refractive index sensitivity and incorporate glass-like physical and mechanical stability provides the sensing element to the platform. Further, the standard sol-gel chemistry is well understood and amenable to easy covalent functionalisation as well as matrix methods such as nitrocellulose for biomolecule fictionalization. Two forms of polymer templating have been developed. For spots greater than 700μm a double side tape method can be applied and for sub 700μm patterned SU-8 and 100nm Aluminum reflective layer allow greater spot resolution. Proof of concept through refractive index sensing is demonstrated.

Investigation of long-range surface plasmon polariton propagation in a multi-layer structure

We theoretically demonstrate the propagation of long-range surface plasmon polariton (LR-SPP) with higher mode confinement at 1.55 μm. The multi-layer structure surrounds a 10 nm thick gold strip waveguide with a width of 2 μm.

Electrical performance analysis of a CPW capable of transmitting microwave and optical signals

A study on the microwave performance of a metallic transmission line capable of simultaneously transmitting microwave and optical signals is presented targeting millimeter-long interconnects. Conventional analytical solution is used to find the optimal structure for a given characteristic impedance. Then, functionality of the link is validated through S-parameter measurements for 3–13 mm long lines. The waveguide parameters, such as resistance, inductance, capacitance, and conductance are extracted based on a lumped circuit model. The modeling enables structure optimization for interconnect bandwidth density of 1 Gb/s/μm and more.