Wide optical spectrum range, subvolt, compact modulator based on an electro-optic polymer refilled silicon slot photonic crystal waveguide

Abstract

We design and demonstrate a compact and low-power, band-engineered, electro-optic (EO) polymer refilled silicon slot photonic crystal waveguide (PCW) modulator. The EO polymer is engineered for large EO activity and near-infrared transparency. A PCW step coupler is used for optimum coupling to the slow-light mode of the band-engineered PCW. The half-wave switching voltage is measured to be Vπ = 0.97 ± 0.02 V over an optical spectrum range of 8 nm, corresponding to the effective in-device r(33) of 1199 pm/V and V(π) × L = 0.291 ± 0.006 V × mm in a push-pull configuration. Excluding the slow-light effect, we estimate that the EO polymer is poled with an efficiency of 89 pm/V in the slot.