31 January 2024 | Yuan Yuan, Yiwei Peng, Wayne V. Sorin, Stanley Cheung, Zhihong Huang, Di Liang, Marco Fiorentino & Raymond G. Beausoleil
A 5×200 Gbps silicon chip microring modulator is demonstrated, utilizing two-segment Z-shape junctions to overcome the trade-off between bandwidth and modulation efficiency. This device achieves a full data rate of 1 Tb/s through dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) with 5 channels, each supporting 200 Gb/s PAM4 modulation. The Z-shape junctions enhance carrier-light interaction, reduce series resistance, and lower junction capacitance, enabling efficient pulse amplitude modulation with four levels (PAM4) using two non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signals. The modulator exhibits a high electro-optic (EO) bandwidth of ~48.6 GHz, a modulation efficiency of ~0.6 V·cm, and an energy consumption of ~6.3 fJ/bit. The 5-channel DWDM Si MRM array supports 1 Tb/s operation with channel crosstalk < -33 dB. The device design includes two-segment structures for PAM4 modulation, with the Z-shape junctions providing improved modulation efficiency compared to other p-n junction configurations. The modulator's performance is validated through direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) characterizations, showing a high EO bandwidth, low power consumption, and excellent eye diagrams for 100 Gb/s and 200 Gb/s PAM4 modulation. The 5-channel DWDM array demonstrates low crosstalk and high scalability, supporting data rates up to 1 Tb/s. The device is fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer using standard foundry processes, with the Z-shape junctions formed via phosphorus and boron implants. The modulator's performance is further enhanced by the two-segment structure, which simplifies the CMOS driver and improves the junction RC-limited bandwidth. The device's high efficiency and bandwidth make it suitable for future 200 Gb/s/lane optical interconnects.A 5×200 Gbps silicon chip microring modulator is demonstrated, utilizing two-segment Z-shape junctions to overcome the trade-off between bandwidth and modulation efficiency. This device achieves a full data rate of 1 Tb/s through dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) with 5 channels, each supporting 200 Gb/s PAM4 modulation. The Z-shape junctions enhance carrier-light interaction, reduce series resistance, and lower junction capacitance, enabling efficient pulse amplitude modulation with four levels (PAM4) using two non-return-to-zero (NRZ) signals. The modulator exhibits a high electro-optic (EO) bandwidth of ~48.6 GHz, a modulation efficiency of ~0.6 V·cm, and an energy consumption of ~6.3 fJ/bit. The 5-channel DWDM Si MRM array supports 1 Tb/s operation with channel crosstalk < -33 dB. The device design includes two-segment structures for PAM4 modulation, with the Z-shape junctions providing improved modulation efficiency compared to other p-n junction configurations. The modulator's performance is validated through direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) characterizations, showing a high EO bandwidth, low power consumption, and excellent eye diagrams for 100 Gb/s and 200 Gb/s PAM4 modulation. The 5-channel DWDM array demonstrates low crosstalk and high scalability, supporting data rates up to 1 Tb/s. The device is fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer using standard foundry processes, with the Z-shape junctions formed via phosphorus and boron implants. The modulator's performance is further enhanced by the two-segment structure, which simplifies the CMOS driver and improves the junction RC-limited bandwidth. The device's high efficiency and bandwidth make it suitable for future 200 Gb/s/lane optical interconnects.