Abstract:
An integrated optical modulator includes, in part, a pair of waveguides and an inductor. The first waveguide is adapted to receive an incoming optical signal. The second waveguide includes a portion placed in proximity of the first waveguide so as to enable the incoming optical signal travelling in the first waveguide to couple to the second waveguide. The second waveguide comprises a p-n junction. The inductor has a first terminal coupled to the p-n junction and a second terminal coupled to a contact pad. The second waveguide has a circular shape. The inductor optionally has a spiral shape.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit under 35 USC 119 (e) of U.S. provisional Application No. 62/134,434, filed Mar. 17, 2015, entitled “Bandwidth Enhancement Technique Using Inductive Peaking”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to optoelectronic devices, and more particularly to optical ring modulators. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electro-optic modulators (EOM) are commonly used in optical communication networks. A phase-modulating EOM may be used in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to modulate the amplitude of an incoming optical signal. As is known, Mach-Zehnder based opto-electronic modulators have a relatively high power consumption, are large and require a high drive voltage. 
     Improving the bandwidth-density product in an integrated silicon photonic system requires a corresponding improvement in the performance of the optical modulator disposed in such a system. Optical modulation in conventional optical ring modulators is achieved either by varying the coupling level or by changing the index of refraction of the ring, either by injecting excess minority carriers in the associated PIN junction or by changing the reverse bias voltage applied to the PN junction. The change in the index of refraction causes a change in the optical path length of the ring, in turn changing the resonance frequency of the ring. 
     As is well known, conventional optical ring modulators are susceptible to temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, as the Quality factor (Q) of a conventional optical ring modulator increases to achieve lower power consumption and enhanced energy efficiency, the bandwidth of the optical ring modulator decreases. In other words, there is a trade-off between the optical bandwidth and power consumption of a conventional optical ring modulator. 
       FIG. 1A  is a top schematic view of an optical ring modulator  100 , as known in the prior art. Optical ring modulator  100  is shown as including, in part, a waveguide  20 , and an optical ring  30 . The optical signal entering waveguide  20  through its input port  10  is coupled to optical ring  30 . 
     Optical ring  30  includes an intrinsic silicon region  36 , a highly doped n+ region  32  encompassing silicon region  36 , and a highly doped p+ region  34  formed within the inner area of silicon region  36 .  FIG. 1B  is a cross-section view of optical ring  30  showing intrinsic silicon region  36 , and the highly doped n+ and p+ regions  32  and  34 , respectively. By changing the voltage applied between n+ region  32  and p+ region  34 , the refractive index of the optical ring  30  is varied. The interference between the optical signals travelling through waveguide  20  and optical ring  30  modulates the optical signal at the output port  12  of optical ring modulator  100 . Referring to  FIG. 1C , signals  50  (delivered via input port  10 ) and  52  (delivered via output port  20 ) are exemplary input and output signals of the optical modulator shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     The time-domain dynamic transmission of the ring modulator, T(t) may be defined as: 
                     T   ⁡     (   t   )       =       σ   ⁡     (   t   )       +         k   ⁡     (   t   )         k   ⁡     (     t   -   τ     )         ⁢     α   ⁡     (   t   )       ⁢     exp   ⁡     [       -   ⅈ     ⁢           ⁢     φ   ⁡     (   t   )         ]       ⁢     (         σ   ⁡     (     t   -   τ     )       ⁢     T   ⁡     (     t   -   τ     )         -   1     ]                 (   1   )               
where σ and k respectively represent transmission and coupling coefficients of the optical ring modulator, α represents the attenuation level, φ represents the phase shift inside the ring, and τ represents the travel time of the optical signal around the resonator, i.e., the round trip time in the resonator.
 
       FIG. 2A  shows the static transmission characteristic of a conventional optical ring modulator obtained through numerical solution of expression (1) using an iterative approach.  FIG. 2B  shows the Q-bandwidth response of such an optical ring modulator. Plots  60  and  62  of  FIG. 2B  respectively correspond to conventional optical modulators having Qs 3000 and 20000 respectively. It is seen that the modulator with a Q of 3000 has a wider bandwidth.  FIG. 2C  also shows the drop-off in the frequency response as the Q of the modulator increases. Since the Q of a modulator is inversely proportional to the attenuation along the modulator, the overall bandwidth of a modulator with a high Q is limited for high Q rings. For example, computer simulation of an optical ring modulator with radius of 16μm and Q of 1500 shows that the optical bandwidth is limited to about 40 GHz. 
       FIG. 2D  shows the static transmission characteristic of another exemplary optical ring modulator that receives an optical signal generated using a laser having a wavelength of nearly 1527.4 nm, as shown. Plots  70  and  72  respectively show the static transmission characteristic of the optical ring modulator for two different reverse-biased voltages. By changing the reverse-biased voltage of the P-N junction disposed in the ring, the index of refraction of the ring and hence the optical length of the ring changes, thereby resulting in a shift in the resonance frequency of the ring. In plot  70 , the resonance frequency is shown to occur at wavelength of nearly 1527.2 nm associated with a reverse bias voltage of V 1 . In plot  72 , the resonance frequency is shown to occur at wavelength of nearly 1527.3 nm associated with a reverse bias voltage of V2. The modulator&#39;s transmission value is seen to change from −9 dB (associated with an optical output of zero) to −3dB (associated with an optical value of one) defining an extinction ratio of 6 dB. In other words, a change of ±(V 2 −V 1 ) in the voltage applied to the reverse-biased p-n junction disposed in the modulator causes the optical output signal of the modulator to switch between one and zero. A need continues to exist for an improved optical modulator. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An integrated optical modulator, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes, in part, a first waveguide adapted to receive an incoming optical signal, a second waveguide having a portion placed in proximity of the first waveguide so as to enable the optical signal travelling in the first waveguide to couple to the second waveguide, and an inductor. The second waveguide includes a p-n junction coupled to a first terminal of the inductor whose second terminal is coupled to a contact pad. 
     In one embodiment, the inductor is a spiral inductor. In one embodiment, second waveguide has a circular shape. 
     A method of modulating an optical signal, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes, in part, delivering the optical signal to a first waveguide that includes a p-n junction, causing the optical signal traveling through the first waveguide to be coupled to a second waveguide placed in proximity of the first waveguide, and storing the signal energy in an inductor disposed between the p-n junction and a contact pad. In one embodiment, the inductor has a spiral shape. In one embodiment, the second waveguide has a circular shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a top schematic view of an optical ring modulator as known in the prior art. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-section view of the optical ring modulator of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  shows an example of the input/output optical signals of the optical ring modulator of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  shows an example of the static transmission characteristic of a conventional optical ring modulator. 
         FIG. 2B  shows the frequency responses as a functions of the Q of a conventional optical ring modulator. 
         FIG. 2C  shows the drop-off in the frequency response as a function of the Q of a conventional optical ring modulator. 
         FIG. 2D  shows an example of the static transmission characteristic of a conventional optical ring modulator. 
         FIG. 3A  is a combined layout/schematic view of an optical ring modulator  200 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the waveguide ring of  FIG. 3A , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary top layout view of the inductor used in an optical ring modulator, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram that includes a model of the optical ring modulator shown in  FIG. 3A , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows the bandwidth of a conventional optical ring modulator, as well as that of an optical ring modulator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is the eye diagram across the p-n junction of a conventional optical ring modulator. 
         FIG. 7B  is the eye diagram across the p-n junction of an optical ring modulator in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a model of a conventional optical ring modulator having an off-chip inductor. 
         FIG. 9A  shows computer simulation of the frequency response characteristics of a conventional optical ring modulator. 
         FIG. 9B  shows computer simulation of the frequency response characteristics of an optical ring modulator, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 3A  is a combined layout/schematic view of an optical ring modulator  200 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Optical ring modulator (hereinafter alternatively referred to as modulator)  200  is shown as including, in part, a main waveguide  210 , a waveguide ring  220  formed between circular lines  215  and  225 , and an inductor  240  disposed between contact pads  230  and  235 . 
     The optical signal entering input port  202  is coupled to waveguide  220  as it passes through section  280  of waveguide  210  where the two waveguides are formed in close proximity of one another. The modulated optical signal is supplied at output port  204  of the modulator. 
     In the exemplary embodiment of the modulator shown in  FIG. 3A , the area within the dashed circular line  250  is negatively doped to form n+ and n-type semiconductor regions. In  FIG. 3A , for simplicity and clarity, the n+ and n regions are collectively shown as one region within the inner boundary of circular line  25 . The area between lines  250  and  260  is positively doped to form p+ and p-type semiconductor regions. For simplicity and clarity, the p+ and p regions are collectively shown as one region between circular line  250  and outer perimeter line  260 .  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of waveguide ring  220  along the AA′ line showing the p-n junction along boundary  250  as well as p+, p, n+ and n regions. 
     Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a first terminal of the inductor is connected to contact pad  230  which, in turn, is connected to the p+ region via contacts  232  and  234  and to the ground terminal Inductor  240  is adapted to increase the bandwidth of modulator  200 . Inductor  240  may be spiral, rectangular, and the like.  FIG. 4  shows a top layout view of one embodiment of inductor  240 . In  FIG. 4 , inductor  240  is shown as having spiral form. It is understood that inductor  240  may have any other form such as rectangular, and the like. The second terminal of Inductor  240  is connected to pad  235 . Dashed perimeter line  290  generally denotes the area within which optical ring  260  and sections of the main waveguide  210 , such as section  280 , are formed. For simplicity and aid in understanding, the details of optical ring modulator  200  are not shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram that includes a model of optical ring modulator  200  shown in  FIG. 3A . Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4 and 5 , capacitor  302  represents the capacitance of the junction between the p+ and n+ regions shown in  FIG. 3B . Capacitor  300  represents the capacitances of pads  230  and  235 . Resistor  308  represents the resistances of all active regions to the ground, including the resistances of contacts  232  and  234  (see  FIG. 3A ). Voltage source  312  represents the ac component of the voltage applied to the optical ring modulator to vary its refractive index. Resistor  314  represents the resistance of the resistor used to provide impedance matching between the voltage source and the optical ring modulator. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, inductor  240  disposed between capacitors  300  and  302  causes an increase in the bandwidth of optical modulator  200 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the improvement achieved in bandwidth of an optical ring modulator having an inductor disposed between its contact pads and p-n junction as shown in  FIG. 5 . Plot  630  shows the frequency response of a conventional optical ring modulator that does not include an inductor. As is seen, the 3-dB frequency of such a conventional optical ring modulator is approximately 42 GHz. Plot  640  of  FIG. 6  shows the frequency response of an optical ring modulator that includes an inductor between its contact pad and p-n junction. As is seen, the 3-dB frequency of the optical ring modulator, in accordance with the present invention, has a 3-dB frequency of 68.3 GHz. An inductance of 400 mH was used in generating plot  640 . Consequently, an improvement of 24.3 GHz in bandwidth is achieved in accordance with this exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7A  is the eye diagram associated with the voltage across the p-n junction of a conventional optical ring modulator having the frequency response as shown in plot  630  of  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 7B  is the eye diagram of the p-n junction of an optical ring modulator that includes an inductor, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, and having the frequency response as shown in plot  640  of  FIG. 6 . It is readily seen that the eye diagram associated with an optical ring modulator, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, has a substantially wider opening compared to that of a conventional optical ring modulator. 
     An optical ring modulator, in accordance with the present invention, has a substantially increased bandwidth compared to conventional optical ring modulators that use off-chip inductors.  FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a model of a conventional optical ring modulator having an off-chip inductor. Capacitor  302  represents the p-n junction capacitance of the ring. Capacitor  300  represents the capacitance of the contact pad. Resistor 308 represents the resistances of active regions. Inductor  314  represents the inductance of the off-chip inductor. 
       FIG. 9A  shows computer simulation of the frequency response characteristics of a conventional optical ring modulator using five different off-chip inductors (see  FIG. 8 ). Plots  405 ,  410 ,  415 ,  420  and  425  of  FIG. 9A  respectively show the frequency response characteristic of such a conventional optical ring modulator for off-chip inductors having respective values of 900 pH, 811.1 pH, 633.3 pH, 455.6 pH and 277.8 pH. The 3-dB frequency of, for example, plot  425  is shown as being approximately 50.65 GHz. 
       FIG. 9B  shows computer simulation of the frequency response characteristics of an optical ring modulator, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Plots  505 ,  510 ,  515 ,  520  and  525  of  FIG. 9B  respectively show the frequency characteristic of the optical ring modulator having on-chip inductors with respective values of 900 pH, 811.1 pH, 633.3 pH, 455.6 pH and 277.8 pH. As is seen by comparing the plots shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , for each inductor value, an optical ring modulator in accordance with the present invention has a substantially higher 3-dB frequency and thus a higher bandwidth than a conventional optical ring modulator. For example, an optical ring modulator, in accordance with the present invention, with an inductor of 277.8 pH has a 3-dB frequency of 78 GHz, which is 25 GHz higher than the 3-dB frequency of a conventional optical ring modulator having a similar off-chip inductor. 
     The above embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and not limitative. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited by any specific frequency or wavelength of the optical signal. Embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the type/shape of the inductor or optical modulator. Other additions, subtractions or modifications are obvious in view of the present disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.