Efficient, Compact and Low Loss Thermo-Optic Phase Shifter in Silicon

Abstract

We design a resistive heater optimized for efficient and low-loss optical phase modulation in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide and characterize the fabricated devices. Modulation is achieved by flowing current perpendicular to a new ridge waveguide geometry. The resistance profile is engineered using different dopant concentrations to obtain localized heat generation and maximize the overlap between the optical mode and the high temperature regions, while simultaneously minimizing optical loss due to free-carrier absorption. A 61.6 micrometer-long phase shifter was fabricated in a CMOS process with oxide cladding and two metal layers. The device features a phase-shifting efficiency of 24.77 +/- 0.43 mW/pi and a -3 dB modulation bandwidth of 130.0 +/- 5.59 kHz. The insertion loss measured for 21 devices across an 8-inch wafer was only 0.23 +/- 0.13 dB. Considering the prospect of densely integrated photonic circuits, we also quantify the separation necessary to isolate thermo-optic devices in the standard 220 nm SOI platform.

This paper was published in Optics Express and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.22.010487. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law