Patent Description:
A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) in which a variety of optical elements are integrated is being used in various optical sensors or optical connection fields. An optical element used in a photonic integrated circuit may include, for example, a light source converting electrical energy into light energy, a light modulator that modulates light, an optical waveguide transmitting an optical signal, an optical antenna or optical coupler that emits light inside an optical waveguide to the outside of a photonic integrated circuit chip or receives light from outside the photonic integrated circuit chip into the optical waveguide, an optical receiver that converts optical energy into electrical energy, etc. The optical elements integrated in the photonic integrated circuit mostly include a material that is easy to form on a substrate.

On the other hand, an optical isolator is an optical element that guides light in only one direction in an optical system similar to a diode for flowing a current in one direction in an electronic circuit. An optical isolator used in bulk optical systems include a polarizing rotator arranged between two polarizers having different polarization directions from each other. However, because a material used as a polarizing rotator is not compatible with a semiconductor process, it is difficult to integrate an optical isolator that uses a polarization rotation principle into a photonic integrated circuit, and thus, mass production is very difficult. Recently, an optical isolator using nonlinearity of a silicon waveguide has been proposed. However, such an optical isolator may only be used in a very narrow wavelength band because the optical isolator uses a principle whereby a resonance wavelength of a resonator varies according to the direction in which light travels.

<CIT> discloses an optical amplifying apparatus and a method to control the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a semiconductor device that integrates a variable optical attenuator (VOA) with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The VOA evaluates the optical power of an incident beam from a photocurrent generated therein. The attenuation of the VOA and the optical gain by the SOA are optionally determined based on the detected input power.

One or more example embodiments provide optical isolators that may be integrated into photonic integrated circuits and photonic integrated circuits including the optical isolators.

One or more example embodiments also provide optical isolators that may be operated in a wide wavelength band and photonic integrated circuits including the optical isolators.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of example embodiments.

According to the invention, there is provided an optical isolator as defined in claim <NUM>.

Each of the optical attenuator and the optical amplifier may include a semiconductor material having a direct bandgap.

A carrier density of the semiconductor material included in the optical attenuator may be less than a transparency carrier density, and a carrier density of the semiconductor material included in the optical amplifier may be greater than the transparency carrier density.

The optical isolator may further include a waveguide layer provided on the semiconductor substrate, the input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide may be included in the waveguide layer, and the optical attenuator and the optical amplifier may be provided on the waveguide layer.

The input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide may respectively continuously extend in the waveguide layer in a traveling direction of light.

The input optical waveguide and the output optical waveguide may be spaced apart from each other, the input optical waveguide may have a tapered end provided under the optical attenuator, and the output optical waveguide may have a tapered end provided under the optical amplifier.

The semiconductor substrate may include a semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer that is provided over an entire area of an upper surface of the semiconductor layer.

The semiconductor substrate may include a semiconductor layer and a dielectric layer that is provided over a partial area of an upper surface of the semiconductor layer in a traveling direction of light, the dielectric layer faces the optical attenuator and the optical amplifier in a region between the semiconductor layer and the waveguide layer.

The optical attenuator and the optical amplifier may respectively include a first contact layer provided on the waveguide layer, a gain material layer provided on the first contact layer, a clad semiconductor layer provided on the gain material layer, and a second contact layer provided on the clad semiconductor layer.

The first contact layer of the optical attenuator may be integrally formed with the first contact layer of the optical amplifier, and the first contact layer of the optical attenuator and the first contact layer of the optical amplifier may extend in a traveling direction of light.

The gain material layer, the clad semiconductor layer, and the second contact layer included in the optical attenuator may be separated from the gain material layer, the clad semiconductor layer, and the second contact layer included the optical amplifier.

The optical attenuator and the optical amplifier may include a first electrode provided on the first contact layer of the optical attenuator and the first contact layer of the optical amplifier, and the optical attenuator may include a second electrode provided on the second contact layer of the optical attenuator and the optical amplifier includes a second electrode provided on the second contact layer of the optical amplifier.

Lengths of the gain material layer, the clad semiconductor layer, and the second contact layer included the optical amplifier in the traveling direction of light may be greater than lengths of the gain material layer, the clad semiconductor layer, and the second contact layer included the optical attenuator in the traveling direction of light.

The gain material layer included in the optical attenuator may be configured to absorb light based on a backward voltage being applied to the gain material layer included in the optical attenuator, and amplify light based on a forward voltage being applied to the gain material layer included in the optical amplifier.

A voltage that allows the carrier density to be less than the transparency carrier density in the gain material layer of the optical attenuator may be applied to the gain material layer included in the optical attenuator, and a voltage that allows the carrier density to be greater than the transparency carrier density in the gain material layer of the optical amplifier may be applied to the gain material layer included in the optical amplifier.

Each of the optical attenuator and the optical amplifier may have a rib-type waveguide shape in which a width of the first contact layer in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of light is greater than widths of the gain material layer, the clad semiconductor layer, and the second contact layer.

Both sides of the first contact layer, the gain material layer, the clad semiconductor layer, and the second contact layer in the traveling direction of light may have tapered ends.

The first contact layer, the gain material layer, the clad semiconductor layer, and the second contact layer included in the optical attenuator may be separated from the first contact layer, the gain material layer, the clad semiconductor layer, and the second contact layer included in the optical amplifier.

The optical attenuator may include a first optical attenuator and a second optical attenuator, the optical amplifier may include a first optical amplifier and a second optical amplifier, and the first optical attenuator, the first optical amplifier, the second optical attenuator, and the second optical amplifier may be provided in that order in the traveling direction of light.

When the intensity of the first input light and the intensity of the second input light are equal, the intensity of the first output light is <NUM> times or more greater than the intensity of the second output light.

According to another aspect of an example embodiment, there is provided a photonic integrated circuit including an optical isolator configured to integrate through a semiconductor manufacturing process, the optical isolator including a semiconductor substrate, an optical attenuator and an optical amplifier provided on the semiconductor substrate, an input optical waveguide connected to the optical attenuator, and an output optical waveguide connected to the optical amplifier, wherein a gain of the optical amplifier decreases based on an intensity of input light increasing, wherein a first input light incident on the optical attenuator through the input optical waveguide is output as a first output light through the output optical waveguide, and a second input light incident on the optical amplifier through the output optical waveguide is output as a second output light through the input optical waveguide, and wherein, when the intensity of the first input light and the intensity of the second input light are equal, an intensity of the first output light is greater than an intensity of the second output light.

According to yet another aspect of an example embodiment, there is provided a light detection and ranging apparatus including a light source, a photodetector, an antenna connected to the light source and the photodetector, the antenna being configured to emit light to an outside or receive light from the outside, and an optical isolator connected between the light source and the antenna, the optical isolator being configured to transmit light in a direction from the light source to the antenna, wherein the optical isolator includes a semiconductor substrate, an optical attenuator and an optical amplifier provided on the semiconductor substrate, an input optical waveguide connected to the optical attenuator, and an output optical waveguide connected to the optical amplifier, wherein a gain of the optical amplifier decreases based on an intensity of input light increasing, wherein a first input light incident on the optical attenuator through the input optical waveguide is output as a first output light through the output optical waveguide, and a second input light incident on the optical amplifier through the output optical waveguide is output as a second output light through the input optical waveguide, and wherein, when an intensity of the first input light and an intensity of the second input light are equal, an intensity of the first output light is greater than an intensity of the second output light.

According to yet another aspect of an example embodiment, there is an optical communication system including a first communication terminal including a first optical transmitter and a first optical receiver, a second communication terminal including a second optical transmitter and a second optical receiver, an optical waveguide connecting the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal, a first optical isolator configured to transmit light in a direction from the first optical transmitter of the first communication terminal to the optical waveguide, and a second optical isolator configured to transmit light in a direction from the second optical transmitter of the second communication terminal to the optical waveguide, wherein each of the first optical isolator and the second optical isolator include a semiconductor substrate, an optical attenuator and an optical amplifier provided on the semiconductor substrate, an input optical waveguide connected to the optical attenuator, and an output optical waveguide connected to the optical amplifier, wherein a gain of the optical amplifier decreases based on an intensity of input light increasing, wherein first input light incident on the optical attenuator through the input optical waveguide is output as a first output light through the output optical waveguide, and a second input light incident on the optical amplifier through the output optical waveguide is output as a second output light through the input optical waveguide, and wherein, when an intensity of the first input light and an intensity of the second input light are equal, an intensity of the first output light is greater than an intensity of the second output light.

According to yet another aspect of an example embodiment, there is an optical isolator including a semiconductor substrate, an optical attenuator provided on the semiconductor substrate, an optical amplifier provided on the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the optical attenuator, an input optical waveguide provided adjacent to the optical attenuator opposite to the optical amplifier, and an output optical waveguide provided adjacent to the optical amplifier opposite to the optical attenuator, wherein a gain of the optical amplifier decreases based on an intensity of light incident on the optical amplifier increasing.

The above and/or other aspects, features, and advantages of certain example embodiments will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Hereinafter, an optical isolator and a photonic integrated circuit including the optical isolator will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the like elements, and sizes of elements may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. The embodiments described below are merely illustrative, and various modifications may be possible from the example embodiments of the present disclosure.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on" or "above" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on another element or layer or intervening elements or layers. The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, when a region "includes" an element, the region may further include another element instead of excluding the other element, unless otherwise differently stated.

The term "above" and similar directional terms may be applied to both singular and plural. With respect to operations that constitute a method, the operations may be performed in any appropriate sequence unless the sequence of operations is clearly described or unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The operations may not necessarily be performed in the order of sequence.

Also, in the specification, the term "units" or ". modules" denote units or modules that process at least one function or operation, and may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

In addition, connections or connection members of lines between components shown in the drawings illustrate functional connections and/or physical or circuit connections, and the connections or connection members can be represented by replaceable or additional various functional connections, physical connections, or circuit connections in an actual apparatus.

The use of all examples or illustrative terms is merely for describing technical concepts in detail, and the inventive concept is not limited by these examples or illustrative terms unless limited by the claims.

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an optical isolator <NUM> according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the optical isolator <NUM> according to an example embodiment may include an optical waveguide <NUM>, an optical attenuator <NUM>, and an optical amplifier <NUM>. The optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may be arranged in a line and aligned with each other along the optical waveguide <NUM>. The optical waveguide <NUM> may include an input optical waveguide 110a connected to the optical attenuator <NUM> and an output optical waveguide 110b connected to the optical amplifier <NUM>.

The optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may include a semiconductor material, for example, a Group III/V compound semiconductor or a Group II/VI compound semiconductor. The optical attenuator <NUM> is configured to output input light by attenuating the intensity of input light, and the optical amplifier <NUM> is configured to output the input light by amplifying the intensity of the input light.

The optical isolator <NUM> according to the example embodiment uses gain saturation characteristics of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) including a semiconductor material. The gain saturation is a phenomenon where a gain of the semiconductor optical amplifier rapidly decreases when the intensity of input light increases. The gain saturation phenomenon is a general characteristic of a semiconductor gain material. For example, a gain change of the semiconductor optical amplifier may be modeled with the following Equation <NUM>.

In Equation <NUM>, g is an actual gain of a semiconductor optical amplifier, g0 is a maximum gain of the semiconductor optical amplifier, P is the intensity of input light, and the Ps is the intensity of the input light at which a gain saturation occurs.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating gain saturation characteristics of the optical amplifier <NUM> used in the optical isolator <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the solid line represents a predictive gain change modeled with Equation <NUM>, and the circles represent a measured gain. It may be seen that the gain change according to the intensity of input light of the optical amplifier <NUM> including a semiconductor material substantially matches the prediction modeled with Equation <NUM>.

Due to a gain saturation phenomenon, light input of low intensity gains a high gain and light input of high intensity gains a low gain. Accordingly, if the intensity of input light is controlled to be different according to the direction in which the light is input, different gains may be obtained according to the direction. As shown in <FIG>, the same operation described above may be implemented by connecting the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> in a line.

<FIG> shows operation characteristics of the optical isolator <NUM> when the optical attenuator <NUM> has a linear attenuation characteristic. First, when a forward input light is input, forward input light first enters the optical attenuator <NUM> through the input optical waveguide 110a, passes through the optical amplifier <NUM>, and is output as forward output light through the output optical waveguide 110b. The intensity of the forward input light is linearly reduced while firstly passing through the optical attenuator <NUM>. Accordingly, because the forward input light of a low intensity is input to the optical amplifier <NUM>, the forward output light obtains a higher gain from the optical amplifier <NUM> and is output from the optical isolator <NUM>. As a result, the intensity of the forward output light becomes greater than the intensity of the forward input light as indicated by an upward arrow in <FIG>.

When a backward input light is input, backward input light first enters the optical amplifier <NUM> through the output optical waveguide 110b, passes through the optical attenuator <NUM>, and is output through as backward output light through the input optical waveguide 110a. The backward input light that is not attenuated by the optical attenuator <NUM> and has a greater intensity than the forward input light enters the optical amplifier <NUM>, and thus, the backward input light obtains a relatively low gain in the optical amplifier <NUM>. Afterwards, the intensity of the backward input light is linearly reduced by passing through the optical attenuator <NUM>, and is output as the backward output light. As a result, the intensity of the backward output light becomes less than the intensity of the backward input light as indicated by a downward arrow in <FIG>.

A total gain of the optical isolator <NUM> including the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>, is equal to a sum of an attenuation rate of the optical attenuator <NUM> and a gain of the optical amplifier <NUM>. In the case of forward input light, as the attenuation rate of the optical attenuator <NUM> increases, the gain of the optical amplifier <NUM> increases, and the total gain of the optical isolator <NUM> is the sum of the attenuation rate of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the high gain of the optical amplifier <NUM>. In the case of backward input light, a total gain of the optical isolator <NUM> is equal to a sum of a low gain of the optical amplifier <NUM> and the attenuation rate of the optical attenuator <NUM>. Therefore, the optical isolation <NUM> obtains a high gain with respect to a forward light input compared to a backward light input. For example, when the intensity of the forward input light and the intensity of the backward input light are the same, the intensity of the forward output light becomes greater than the intensity of the backward output light. For example, a difference between the intensity of the forward output light and the intensity of the backward output light may be equal to a sum of the height of the upward arrow indicated on the forward output light and the height of the downward arrow indicated on the backward output light in <FIG>.

Also, <FIG> shows operation characteristics of the optical isolator <NUM> when the optical attenuator <NUM> has a nonlinear attenuation characteristic. Referring to <FIG>, even when the optical attenuator <NUM> has a nonlinear attenuation characteristic, the same or similar result as when the optical attenuator <NUM> has a linear attenuation may be obtained. For example, the linearity or nonlinearity of the optical attenuator <NUM> does not substantially affect the characteristics of the optical isolator <NUM>, and only the attenuation rate of the optical attenuator <NUM> affects the characteristics of the optical isolator <NUM>.

<FIG> is a graph showing a relationship between a gain change of the optical amplifier <NUM> and an optical isolation performance of the optical isolator <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the greater the difference between a relatively high gain of the optical amplifier <NUM> with respect to a relatively low optical input and a relatively low gain of the optical amplifier <NUM> with respect to a relatively high optical input, the optical isolation performance of the optical isolator <NUM> may be increased. As described above, the greater the attenuation rate of the optical attenuator <NUM>, the gain of the optical amplifier <NUM> with respect to the forward input light increases, and the backward input light may be significantly attenuated. Accordingly, the optical isolation performance of the optical isolator <NUM> may be determined by the attenuation rate of the optical attenuator <NUM> and a gain change width of the optical amplifier <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view showing a configuration of the optical isolator <NUM> according to an example embodiment, and <FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view of the optical isolator of <FIG> taken along line A-A' in <FIG>, according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the optical isolator <NUM> may include a semiconductor substrate <NUM>, an optical waveguide <NUM> continuously extending on the semiconductor substrate <NUM>, an optical attenuator <NUM> and an optical amplifier <NUM> arranged in a line along the optical waveguide <NUM> on the semiconductor substrate <NUM>. At both ends of the optical waveguide <NUM>, an input optical waveguide 110a and an output optical waveguide 110b are arranged.

Referring to <FIG>, the semiconductor substrate <NUM> may include a semiconductor layer 101a and a dielectric layer 101b arranged on the semiconductor layer 101a. For example, the semiconductor layer 101a may include silicon and the dielectric layer 101b may include silicon oxide (SiO<NUM>), but embodiments are not limited thereto. The dielectric layer 101b may be arranged over an entire region of an upper surface of the semiconductor layer 101a. For example, the semiconductor substrate <NUM> may include a single silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate.

In addition, the optical isolator <NUM> may further include a waveguide layer <NUM> arranged on the semiconductor substrate <NUM>. The waveguide layer <NUM> may be arranged on an upper surface of the dielectric layer 101b. Accordingly, the dielectric layer 101b may be arranged over an entire region between the semiconductor layer 101a and the waveguide layer <NUM>. In the waveguide layer <NUM>, an optical waveguide <NUM> formed by etching a region of an upper surface of the waveguide layer <NUM> is arranged. In the waveguide layer <NUM>, the input optical waveguide 110a and the output optical waveguide 110b may continuously extend in a light proceeding direction. The dielectric layer 101b may serve as a clad confining light in the optical waveguide <NUM>. For this purpose, the waveguide layer <NUM> may include a material having a greater refractive index than the dielectric layer 101b. In <FIG>, the optical waveguide <NUM> is depicted as a rib type waveguide having a vertical protrusion, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the optical waveguide <NUM> may be a rib-type waveguide having a plurality of vertical protrusions, or may be a channel-type waveguide without a protrusion.

The optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may be arranged on the waveguide layer <NUM>. <FIG> shows only a cross-section of the optical amplifier <NUM>, but the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may have the same structure. As shown in <FIG>, both the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may include a first contact layer <NUM> arranged on the waveguide layer <NUM>, a gain material layer <NUM> arranged on the first contact layer <NUM>, a clad semiconductor layer <NUM> arranged on the gain material layer <NUM>, a second contact layer <NUM> arranged on the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, a first electrode <NUM> arranged on the first contact layer <NUM>, and a second electrode <NUM> arranged on the second contact layer <NUM>.

The first contact layer <NUM>, the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM> included in the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may include a semiconductor material having a direct band gap. For example, the first contact layer <NUM>, the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM> may include a Group III/V compound semiconductor or a Group II/VI compound semiconductor.

The first contact layer <NUM> and the second contact layer <NUM> provide an ohmic contact to apply a current to the gain material layer <NUM>. To this end, the first contact layer <NUM> and the second contact layer <NUM> may be highly doped with a conductivity type electrically opposite to each other. For example, the first contact layer <NUM> may be doped with an n-type and the second contact layer <NUM> may be doped with a p-type, or the first contact layer <NUM> may be doped with a p-type and the second contact layer <NUM> may be doped with an n-type.

The gain material layer <NUM> may absorb light or amplify light according to an applied current. For example, the gain material layer <NUM> may include a multiple quantum well (MQW) structure in which a plurality of barriers and a plurality of quantum wells are alternately stacked in a vertical direction. When a current is applied to the gain material layer <NUM> in a forward direction, the gain material layer <NUM> may amplify light. When a current is applied to the gain material layer <NUM> in a backward direction, the gain material layer <NUM> may absorb light. Accordingly, depending on a direction of a current applied to the gain material layer <NUM>, the structure shown in <FIG> may operate as the optical attenuator <NUM> or as the optical amplifier <NUM>.

The clad semiconductor layer <NUM> may provide a carrier to or remove a carrier from the gain material layer <NUM>. For example, when a forward current is applied to the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, a carrier density in the gain material layer <NUM> may be increased, and when a backward current is applied to the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, a carrier density in the gain material layer <NUM> may be reduced. In addition, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM> may act as a clad that confines light in the gain material layer <NUM> and the optical waveguide <NUM>. The clad semiconductor layer <NUM> may be doped with the same electrical type as the second contact layer <NUM> arranged thereon. For example, when the second contact layer <NUM> is doped with a p-type, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM> may also be doped with the p-type, and when the second contact layer <NUM> is doped with an n-type, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM> may also be doped with an n-type.

A high resistance region 105a for concentrating a current to a central region of the clad semiconductor layer <NUM> may be further formed in a peripheral region of the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>. For example, the high resistance region 105a may be formed by implanting hydrogen ions to the peripheral region of the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>. Then, as indicated by arrows, a current may flow along the central region of the clad semiconductor layer <NUM> facing the optical waveguide <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first contact layer <NUM> may have a width greater than a width of the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM>, which are arranged on the first contact layer <NUM>. Here, the width may be defined in a direction perpendicular to a traveling direction of light traveling along the optical waveguide <NUM>. Thus, an overall cross-section of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> has a shape in which a lower part is relatively large and an upper part is relatively narrow. The optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> having such a shape may have a function of a rib-type waveguide. For example, the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may perform a role of absorbing or amplifying light, and also perform a role of guiding light together with the optical waveguide <NUM>. For example, in <FIG>, light may be guided along a region indicated by a dashed line in the form of an ellipse.

Referring to <FIG>, the first contact layer <NUM> having a relatively large width is commonly arranged on the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>. For example, the first contact layer <NUM> of the optical attenuator <NUM> continuously integrally extends with the first contact layer <NUM> of the optical amplifier <NUM> in a traveling direction of light. Accordingly, the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may share one first contact layer <NUM>. Other layers of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> except for the first contact layer <NUM> may be separated from each other. For example, the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM> of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM> of the optical amplifier <NUM> may be separated from each other. Accordingly, the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM> are individually arranged in the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>.

Only the first contact layer <NUM> may exist between the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>, and the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM> may not be present therebetween. <FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' between the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> of the optical isolator <NUM> in <FIG>, according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, a region between the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may include only the semiconductor substrate <NUM>, the waveguide layer <NUM>, and the first contact layer <NUM>.

The optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may commonly include the first electrode <NUM> and individually include the second electrode <NUM>. Accordingly, the first electrode <NUM> arranged on a region of an upper surface of the first contact layer <NUM> that is not covered by the gain material layer <NUM> performs as a role of a common electrode with respect to the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>. The second electrode <NUM> arranged on a region of an upper surface of the second contact layer <NUM> may apply a voltage individually independently to the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>. For example, when the first contact layer <NUM> is an n-type and the second contact layer <NUM> is a p-type, the first electrode <NUM> is a ground electrode, a negative voltage (-) may be applied to the second electrode <NUM> of the optical attenuator <NUM>, and a positive voltage (+) may be applied to the second electrode <NUM> of the optical amplifier <NUM>. When the first contact layer <NUM> is a p-type and the second contact layer <NUM> is an n-type, the first electrode <NUM> is a ground electrode, a positive voltage (+) may be applied to the second electrode <NUM> of the optical attenuator <NUM>, and a negative voltage (-) may be applied to the second electrode <NUM> of the optical amplifier <NUM>.

Then, a voltage may be applied to the optical attenuator <NUM> in a backward direction and a voltage may be applied to the optical amplifier <NUM> in a forward direction. The voltage applied to the second electrode <NUM> of the optical attenuator <NUM> may be selected so that a carrier density in a semiconductor material of the optical attenuator <NUM>, in particular the carrier density in the gain material layer <NUM> is less than a transparency carrier density. The transparency carrier density may be a carrier density when a semiconductor material is transparent or a carrier density that makes a semiconductor material transparent. If a carrier density in a semiconductor material is less than a transparency carrier density, the semiconductor material absorbs energy from incident light. Accordingly, the optical attenuator <NUM> may attenuate light.

A voltage applied to the second electrode <NUM> of the optical amplifier <NUM> may be selected so that a carrier density in a semiconductor material of the optical amplifier <NUM>, in particular, a carrier density in the gain material layer <NUM> is selected to be greater than a transparency carrier density. If a carrier density in the semiconductor material is greater than a transparency carrier density, light is emitted by combining electrons and holes in the semiconductor material. Accordingly, the optical attenuator <NUM> may amplify the light. A value of a voltage applied to the second electrode <NUM> of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may vary according to characteristics of the semiconductor material actually used in the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>.

Also, referring to <FIG>, in order for the optical amplifier <NUM> to have a sufficient gain, a length of the optical amplifier <NUM> in a traveling direction of light traveling along the optical waveguide <NUM> may be greater than a length of the optical attenuator <NUM> in a traveling direction of light. For example, lengths of the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM> included in the optical amplifier <NUM> may be greater than lengths of the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layer <NUM> included in the optical attenuator <NUM>.

Also, the first contact layer <NUM>, the gain material layer <NUM>, the clad semiconductor layer <NUM>, and the second contact layers <NUM>, included in the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may have tapered ends on both sides in a traveling direction of light. Then, a reflection loss and reflection noise due to a rapid material change during light traveling may be reduced.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the semiconductor substrate <NUM> is a SOI substrate, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto. <FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view of the optical isolator of <FIG> taken along line A-A' in <FIG>, according to another example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the semiconductor substrate <NUM> may include a semiconductor layer 101a and a dielectric layer 101c that is locally arranged in a travelling direction of light to face the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> in a region between the semiconductor layer 101a and the waveguide layer <NUM>. Then, the semiconductor substrate <NUM> may use a bulk semiconductor substrate. For example, an upper surface of the bulk semiconductor layer 101a may be partly etched and the upper surface of the etched bulk semiconductor layer 101a may be filled with a material of the dielectric layer 101c.

As described above, light may be guided not only through the optical waveguide <NUM> but also through some portions of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>. Therefore, the optical waveguide <NUM> need not necessarily be extended continuously within the optical isolator <NUM>. For example, <FIG> is a plan view showing a configuration of an optical isolator 100A according to another example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the optical isolator 100A may include an input optical waveguide 110a and an output optical waveguide 110b discontinuously separated and spaced apart from each other. In this case, the input optical waveguide 110a includes a tapered end arranged below an optical attenuator <NUM>, and the output optical waveguide 110b may include a tapered end arranged under an optical amplifier <NUM>. A reflection loss and reflection noise due to a rapid material change during light traveling may be reduced by forming the ends of the input optical waveguide 110a and the output optical waveguide 110b to be tapered.

<FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view of the optical isolator of <FIG> taken along line C-C' in <FIG>, according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, an optical waveguide <NUM> is not formed and only an empty space may exist in a region of the waveguide layer <NUM> facing the center of a clad semiconductor layer <NUM>. The remaining configuration of the optical isolator 100A shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may be the same as the configuration of the optical isolator <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> share one first contact layer <NUM>, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto. <FIG> is a plan view schematically showing a configuration of an optical isolator 100B according to another example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the optical isolator 100B may include an optical attenuator <NUM> and an optical amplifier <NUM> arranged separately along the optical waveguide <NUM>. The optical attenuator <NUM> may include a first contact layer 103a, and the optical amplifier <NUM> may include a second contact layer 103b separated from the first contact layer 103a. Both sides of the first contact layer 103a and both sides of the first contact layer 103b in a traveling direction of light may be formed to have tapered ends. In the example embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first electrode <NUM> is not a common electrode, and the first electrode <NUM> may be individually arranged on the first contact layer 103a of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the second contact layer 103b of the optical amplifier <NUM>.

A simulation was performed to verify the performance of the optical isolator <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. It is assumed that the semiconductor layer 110a and the waveguide layer <NUM> of the optical isolator <NUM> include silicon (Si), the dielectric layer 101b includes SiO<NUM>, and the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> include a Group III/V compound semiconductor. A total length of the optical isolator <NUM> in a traveling direction of light is <NUM> in which a length of the optical attenuator <NUM> is assumed to be <NUM> and a length of the optical amplifier <NUM> is assumed to be <NUM>. In addition, an optical confinement factor (OCF) indicating a ratio of overlapping a light mode with a gain generating unit in the optical isolator <NUM> is assumed to be <NUM>%. A carrier density in the optical attenuator <NUM> is set to be <NUM> times the transparency carrier density so that the optical attenuator <NUM> absorbs incident light, and a carrier density in the optical amplifier <NUM> is set to be seven times the transparency carrier density so that the optical amplifier <NUM> amplifies the incident light.

<FIG> are graphs showing simulation results of operation characteristics of the optical isolator <NUM> when noise generated in the optical isolator <NUM> is not considered. The graph of <FIG> shows a relationship between the intensity of input light and the intensity of output light in the optical isolator <NUM>. The dashed line indicates the relationship between the intensity of input light and the intensity of output light when a gain of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> is <NUM> dB. In this case, the intensity of output light increases in proportion to the intensity of input light. The thick solid line indicates a relationship between the intensity of backward input light and the intensity of backward output light when a driving voltage is applied to the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>, and a thin solid line indicates a relationship between the intensity of forward input light and the intensity of forward output light when a driving voltage is applied to the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the intensity of the forward output light is much greater than that of the backward output light with respect to input light of the same intensity.

The graph of <FIG> shows a relationship between the intensity of input light and a gain of the optical isolator <NUM>. In <FIG>, a thin solid line indicates a forward gain and a thin dashed line indicates a backward gain. As shown in <FIG>, the forward gain of the optical isolator <NUM> is greater than the backward gain with respect to input light of the same intensity. In particular, because the optical amplifier <NUM> has a gain saturation characteristic, as the intensity of input light increases, the gain of the optical isolator <NUM> is reduced. In addition, the thick solid line in <FIG> represents a ratio between the intensity of forward output light and the intensity of backward output light in dB. The thick dashed line indicates a ratio between the intensity of forward output light and the intensity of backward output light required for a general optical isolator. In general, the ratio between the intensity of forward output light and the intensity of backward output light is <NUM> dB, that is, the intensity of forward output light is <NUM> times or more greater than the intensity of backward output light with respect to input light of the same intensity, the optical isolator may be considered to have high performance. As shown in <FIG>, the optical isolator <NUM> according to the example embodiment may exceed <NUM> dB in a wide input light intensity range of about -<NUM> to about <NUM> dBm.

<FIG> shows an intensity change of incident light in a length direction of the optical isolator <NUM>. In a forward direction, <NUM> is an input terminal of the optical attenuator <NUM>, and <NUM> is an output terminal of the optical amplifier <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, forward input light indicated by 'F' is attenuated first while passing through the optical attenuator <NUM>, and then, is amplified while passing through the optical amplifier <NUM>. Backward input light indicated by 'R' is amplified first while passing through the optical amplifier <NUM>, and then, is attenuated while passing through the optical attenuator <NUM>. Because the optical amplifier <NUM> has a gain saturation characteristic, the intensity of the backward output light may be greatly reduced regardless of the intensity of the backward input light.

As shown in <FIG>, the intensity of forward input light may be greatly reduced by the optical attenuator <NUM>. In this case, there is a possibility that the performance of the optical isolator <NUM> may be affected by noise occurred inside the optical isolator <NUM>. <FIG> are graphs showing simulation results of operating characteristics of the optical isolator <NUM> assuming an ideal case in which there is no noise. <FIG> are graphs showing simulation results of operating characteristics of the optical isolator <NUM> assuming that various intensities of noise are generated in the optical isolator <NUM>. When considering noise, in order to confirm the performance of the optical isolator <NUM>, the simulation assumes an amount of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) generated per <NUM> length in the optical isolator <NUM> is -<NUM>, -<NUM>, -<NUM>, -<NUM>, and <NUM> dBm.

Referring to <FIG>, the performance of the optical isolator <NUM> decreases by about <NUM> dB when the ASE is <NUM> dBm, by about <NUM> dB when the ASE is -<NUM> dBm, by about <NUM> dB when the ASE is -<NUM> dBm, and by about <NUM> dB when the ASE is -<NUM> dBm. However, when the ASE is -<NUM> dBm, almost no performance decline is seen. Even considering that a typical noise level of a semiconductor optical amplifier is about <NUM> dBm/mm, the optical isolator <NUM> according to the example embodiment may have a performance of <NUM> dB or more in a wide input light intensity range of about -<NUM> dBm to about <NUM> dBm.

The results shown in <FIG> are examples to illustrate the performance of the optical isolator <NUM> according to the example embodiments. The performance of the optical isolator <NUM> may further be improved by optimizing various factors, such as the type of semiconductor material used in the optical isolator <NUM>, a cross-sectional structure and size of the optical isolator <NUM>, a voltage applied to the optical isolator <NUM>, the shape and size of the optical waveguide <NUM>, lengths of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM>, etc..

<FIG> is a plan view showing a configuration of an optical isolator 100C according to another example embodiment. The optical isolators <NUM>, 100A, 100B described above include one optical attenuator <NUM> and one optical amplifier <NUM>, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto. Referring to <FIG>, an optical attenuator of the optical isolator 100C may include a first optical attenuator 120a and a second optical attenuator 120b, and an optical amplifier of the optical isolator 100C may include a first optical amplifier 130a and a second optical amplifier 130b. The first optical attenuator 120a, the second optical attenuator 120b, the first optical amplifier 130a, and the second optical amplifier 130b may be alternately arranged in a direction of forward input light in the optical waveguide <NUM>. For example, the first optical attenuator 120a, the first optical amplifier 130a, the second optical attenuator 120b, and the second optical amplifier 130b may be sequentially arranged in the stated order.

Accordingly, the first optical attenuator 120a and the first optical amplifier 130a may be regarded as a first optical isolator, and the second optical attenuator 120b and the second optical amplifier 130b may be regarded as a second optical isolator. In this case, it may be viewed that two optical isolators are cascade-connected. In <FIG>, only two optical attenuators and two optical amplifiers are shown, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, three or more optical isolators may be cascade-connected. An attenuation rate of a plurality of optical attenuators, a gain of a plurality of optical amplifiers, an input light intensity at which gain saturation of the plurality of optical amplifiers occurs, may be differently selected.

As described above, because the optical isolator described above may be implemented with a general semiconductor material, the integration of optical isolators into a photonic integrated circuit may be possible through a general semiconductor manufacturing process. In addition, the disclosed optical isolators do not use a resonance principle, and thus, may be operated in a wide wavelength band. In addition, the disclosed optical isolator may guide light in both directions or guide light in only one direction through an electrical control. Accordingly, a function switching operation between the optical isolator and a simple waveguide is possible. For example, when a voltage is applied to the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> so that a carrier density in the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> is the same as the transparency carrier density, the optical isolator may function as a simple waveguide.

A photonic integrated circuit in which optical isolators are integrated may be applied to various application fields. For example, a bidirectional multiplexing system of an optical communication, a LiDAR apparatus, etc. may be implemented as a single photonic integrated circuit.

For example, <FIG> is a conceptual diagram showing a bidirectional optical communication system using optical isolators according to an example embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, an optical communication system <NUM> may include a first communication terminal <NUM> including a first optical transmitter <NUM> and a first optical receiver <NUM>, a second communication terminal <NUM> including a second optical transmitter <NUM> and a second optical receiver <NUM>, an optical waveguide <NUM> that connects the first communication terminal <NUM> to the second communication terminal <NUM>, and a first optical coupler 231a and a second optical coupler 231b arranged on both ends of the optical waveguide <NUM>. The first optical coupler 231a may connect the first communication terminal <NUM> to the optical waveguide <NUM>, and the second optical coupler 231b may connect the second communication terminal <NUM> to the optical waveguide <NUM>.

The first communication terminal <NUM> may further include an optical waveguide <NUM> connected between the first optical transmitter <NUM> and the first optical coupler 231a, an optical waveguide <NUM> connected between the first optical receiver <NUM> and the first optical coupler 231a, and a first optical isolator <NUM> that transmits light only in a direction from the first optical transmitter <NUM> toward the optical waveguide <NUM>. In addition, the second communication terminal <NUM> may further include an optical waveguide <NUM> connected between the second optical transmitter <NUM> and the second optical coupler 231b, an optical waveguide <NUM> connected between the second optical receiver <NUM> and the second optical coupler 231b, and a second optical isolator <NUM> that transmits light only in a direction from the second optical transmitter <NUM> towards the optical waveguide <NUM>. The first optical isolator <NUM> is arranged on the optical waveguide <NUM>, and the second optical isolator <NUM> may be arranged on the optical waveguide <NUM>.

The first optical isolator <NUM> may allow an optical signal coming from the second communication terminal <NUM> through the optical waveguide <NUM> to proceed only to the first optical receiver <NUM> of the first communication terminal <NUM>, and the second optical isolator <NUM> may allow an optical signal coming from the first communication terminal <NUM> through the optical waveguide <NUM> to proceed only to the second optical receiver <NUM> of the second communication terminal <NUM>. The first optical isolator <NUM> and the second optical isolator <NUM> may be the optical isolators according to the example embodiments described above. By using the first optical isolator <NUM> and the second optical isolator <NUM>, a bidirectional communication between the first communication terminal <NUM> and the second communication terminal <NUM> is possible with only one optical waveguide <NUM>.

<FIG> is a conceptual diagram showing a LiDAR apparatus <NUM> using an optical isolator. Referring to <FIG>, the LiDAR apparatus <NUM> may include a light source <NUM>, a photodetector <NUM>, an antenna <NUM> connected to the light source <NUM> and the photodetector <NUM> to emit an optical signal to the outside or to receive light from the outside, and an optical isolator <NUM> connected between the light source <NUM> and the antenna <NUM> to transmit light only in a direction towards the antenna <NUM> from the light source <NUM>. The optical isolator <NUM> may be the optical isolator according to the example embodiments described above. By using the optical isolator <NUM>, an optical signal may be emitted or received with only one antenna <NUM>. The LiDAR apparatus <NUM> may be implemented as one photonic integrated circuit including an optical phase array element. Accordingly, It is possible to extract information about an external object OBJ by using the small LiDAR apparatus <NUM> implemented as one photonic integrated circuit.

For example, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the LiDAR apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>, which is implemented in one photonic integrated circuit including an optical phase array element. Referring to <FIG>, the LiDAR apparatus <NUM> may include a substrate <NUM>, a light source <NUM> arranged on the substrate <NUM>, a photodetector <NUM>, an optical isolator <NUM>, a branch region 300A, a phase control region 300B, an amplifying region 300C, and a transmission/reception region 300D. The light source <NUM>, the optical isolator <NUM>, the branch region 300A, the phase control region 300B, the amplifying region 300C, and the transmission/reception region 300D may be arranged in a first direction DR1. The LiDAR apparatus <NUM> may include a plurality of waveguides <NUM> to sequentially transmit light generated from the light source <NUM> to the branch region 300A, the phase control region 300B, the amplifying region 300C, and the transmission/reception region 300D. Light generated from the light source <NUM> may travel in the first direction DR1 through the waveguides <NUM>.

The optical isolator <NUM> may be arranged between the light source <NUM> and the branch region 300A. The optical isolator <NUM> may include an optical attenuator <NUM> and an optical amplifier <NUM> arranged in the first direction DR1. The configurations of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> may be the same as that of the optical attenuator <NUM> and the optical amplifier <NUM> described above.

The branch region 300A may include a plurality of splitters <NUM>. The plurality of splitters <NUM> may split one light that proceeds along the waveguides <NUM> to several pieces of light. To this end, one of the waveguides <NUM> is connected to an input end of each of the splitters <NUM> and a plurality of waveguides <NUM> is connected to an output end of each of the splitters <NUM>. As an example, a plurality of splitters <NUM> are shown in <FIG> for splitting one light into two lights. Light generated from the light source <NUM> may be split into a plurality of pieces of light in the branch region 300A. The split pieces of light proceed along the plurality of waveguides <NUM>, respectively. In <FIG>, light generated from the light source <NUM> is split into eight pieces of light in the branch region 300A, but embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto.

The phase control region 300B may include a plurality of phase control elements <NUM> respectively arranged in the plurality of waveguides <NUM>. For example, the plurality of phase control elements <NUM> may be arranged in a second direction DR2 perpendicular to the first direction DR1. The plurality of pieces of light split in the branch region 300A may be respectively provided to the plurality of phase control elements <NUM>. The phase control element <NUM> may have a variable refractive index that is electrically controlled. Phases of light passing through the phase control element <NUM> may be determined according to the refractive index of the phase control element <NUM>. The phase control element <NUM> may independently control the phases of the split pieces of light.

In addition, the amplifying region 300C may include a plurality of optical amplifiers <NUM> respectively arranged in the plurality of waveguides <NUM>. The plurality of optical amplifiers <NUM> may be arranged in the second direction DR2 perpendicular to the first direction DR1. The optical amplifiers <NUM> may increase the intensity of an optical signal. For example, each of the optical amplifiers <NUM> may include a semiconductor optical amplifier or an ion doping amplifier.

The transmission/reception region 300D may include a plurality of antennas <NUM>. The plurality of antennas <NUM> may be arranged in the second direction DR2. The plurality of antennas <NUM> may be connected to the plurality of optical amplifiers <NUM>, respectively. Each of the antennas <NUM> may emit light amplified by the amplifying region 300C, respectively. For this purpose, each of the antennas <NUM> may include a plurality of grating patterns 350a that is periodically arranged. The plurality of grating patterns 350a may be arranged in the first direction DR1. The traveling direction of output light OL emitted by the antennas <NUM> may be determined by a phase difference between split light determined in the phase control region 300B, a gap between the grating patterns 350a, a height of the grating patterns 350a, and a width of the grating patterns 350a. For example, the traveling direction of the output light OL may have a component in the first direction DR1, a component in the second direction DR2, and a component in a third direction DR3 perpendicular to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2.

In addition, the plurality of antennas <NUM> may receive an optical signal reflected from an external object OBJ. The optical signal may proceed from the plurality of antennas <NUM> to the transmission/reception region 300D, the amplifying region 300C, the phase control region 300B, the branch region 300A, and the photodetector <NUM> in the first direction DR1. Because the optical isolator <NUM> is arranged between the branch region 300A and the light source <NUM>, the optical signal received by the antennas <NUM> may not be incident on the light source <NUM> but may only be incident on the photodetector <NUM>.

Although the optical isolator and the photonic integrated circuit including the optical isolator according to the example embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but these are examples, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the example embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is defined not by the detailed description but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included.

Claim 1:
An optical isolator comprising:
a semiconductor substrate (<NUM>);
an optical attenuator (<NUM>) and an optical amplifier (<NUM>) provided on the semiconductor substrate;
an input optical waveguide (110a) connected to the optical attenuator; and
an output optical waveguide (110b) connected to the optical amplifier,
wherein the optical isolator is configured so that the optical amplifier operates in the gain saturation regime so that said amplifier exhibits gain saturation characteristics and light experiences gain saturation when traversing said amplifier such that a gain of the optical amplifier decreases when an intensity of light incident on the optical amplifier increases,
wherein first input light incident on the optical attenuator through the input optical waveguide is output as first output light through the output optical waveguide, and second input light incident on the optical amplifier through the output optical waveguide is output as second output light through the input optical waveguide, and
wherein when an intensity of the first input light and an intensity of the second input light are equal, and each is above a threshold for which it can experience gain saturation in the optical amplifier, an intensity of the first output light is greater than an intensity of the second output light.