Robert Boeck

Experimental performance of DWDM quadruple Vernier racetrack resonators.

We demonstrate that one can meet numerous commercial requirements for filters used in dense wavelength-division multiplexing applications using quadruple Vernier racetrack resonators in the silicon-on-insulator platform. Experimental performance shows a ripple of 0.2 dB, an interstitial peak suppression of 39.7 dB, an adjacent channel isolation of 37.2 dB, an express channel isolation of 10.2 dB, and a free spectral range of 37.52 nm.

Grating-assisted silicon-on-insulator racetrack resonator reflector

We experimentally demonstrate a grating-assisted silicon-on-insulator (SOI) racetrack resonator reflector with a reflect port suppression of 10.3 dB and no free spectral range. We use contra-directional grating couplers within the coupling regions of the racetrack resonator to enable suppression of all but one of the peaks within the reflect port spectrum as well as all but one of the notches within the through port spectrum.

Thermally tunable quadruple Vernier racetrack resonators

The spectral responses of series-coupled racetrack resonators exhibiting the Vernier effect have many attractive features as compared to the spectral responses of identical series-coupled racetrack resonators, such as free spectral range (FSR) extension and enhanced wavelength tunability. Here we present experimental results of a thermally tunable quadruple series-coupled silicon racetrack resonator exhibiting the Vernier effect. We thermally tune two of the four racetrack resonators to enable discrete switching of the major peak by 15.54 nm. Also, our device has an interstitial peak suppression of 35.4 dB, a 3 dB bandwidth of 0.45 nm, and an extended FSR of 37.66 nm.

Process calibration method for designing silicon-on-insulator contra-directional grating couplers

We present a process calibration method for designing silicon-on-insulator (SOI) contra-directional grating couplers (contra-DCs). Our method involves determining the coupling coefficients of fabricated contra-DCs by using their full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) bandwidths. As compared to the null method that uses the bandwidth measured at the first nulls, our FWHM method obtains more consistent results since the FWHM bandwidth is more easily determined. We also extract the coupling coefficients using curve-fitting which provide values that are in general agreement with the values obtained using our method. However, as compared to the curve-fitting method, our method does not require knowledge of the insertion loss and is easier to implement. Our method can be used to predict the FWHM bandwidths, the maximum power coupling factors, the minimum power transmission factors, and the through port group delays and dispersions of subsequent, fabricated devices, which is useful in designing filters.

FSR-free silicon-on-insulator microring resonator based filter with bent contra-directional couplers

High-speed optical interconnects drive the need for compact microring resonators (MRRs) with wide free spectral ranges (FSRs). A silicon-on-insulator MRR based filter with bent contra-directional couplers that exhibits an FSR-free response, at both the drop and through ports, while achieving a compact footprint is both theoretically and experimentally demonstrated. Also, using bent contra-directional couplers in the couping regions of MRRs allowed us to achieve larger side-mode suppressions than MRRs with straight CDCs. The fabricated filter has a minimum suppression ratio of more than 15 dB, a 3dB-bandwidth of ~23 GHz, an extinction ratio of ~18 dB, and a drop-port insertion loss of ~1 dB. High-speed data transmission through our filter is also demonstrated at data rates of 12.5 Gbps, 20 Gbps, and 28 Gbps.

Silicon quadruple series-coupled Vernier racetrack resonators: Experimental signal quality

A tunable silicon quadruple Vernier racetrack resonator filter has been experimentally demonstrated. Data was sent through our filter at 12.5 Gbps which resulted in open eye diagrams, even at a suppressed through port notch.

Theoretical sensitivity analysis of quadruple Vernier racetrack resonators designed for fabrication on the silicon-on-insulator platform

Vernier racetrack resonators offer advantages over single racetrack resonators such as extending the free spectral range (FSR).1-3 Here, we have presented a theoretical sensitivity analysis on quadruple Vernier racetrack resonators based on varying, one at a time, various fabrication dependent parameters. These parameters include the waveguide widths, heights, and propagation losses. We have shown that it should be possible to design a device that meets typical commercial specifications while being tolerant to changes in these parameters.

Sensitivity analysis of silicon-on-insulator quadruple Vernier racetrack resonators

Abstract. We present a theoretical sensitivity analysis of silicon-on-insulator quadruple Vernier racetrack resonators based on varying, one at a time, various fabrication-dependent parameters. These parameters include the waveguide widths, heights, and propagation losses. We show that it should be possible to design a device that meets typical commercial specifications while being tolerant to changes in these parameters.

An FSR-free silicon resonator reflector using a contra-directional coupler and a Bragg reflector

We demonstrate theoretically a silicon resonator reflector, having no free spectral range, using a distributed Bragg reflector and a contra-directional grating coupler. The spectral response of the device meets numerous commercial specifications for a clear window of 5 GHz and a channel spacing of 100 GHz.