Dense wavelength conversion and multicasting in a resonance-split silicon microring

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate all-optical wavelength conversions in a 10 μm radius resonance-split silicon microring resonator based on free carrier dispersion effect. The split resonance is caused by the mutual coupling between the two countertraveling modes inside the ring resonator. Dense wavelength conversions are performed at data rates from 500 Mbytes/s to 5 Gbytes/s and a dual-channel wavelength multicasting is realized at a data rate of 1.25 Gbytes/s. The resonance splitting phenomenon opens up opportunities to convert more closely spaced wavelengths, thus effectively increasing the system capacity.