Patent Description:
In a manner analogous to electronic chips providing functions for electronic signals, photonic chips provide functions for optical signals. Optical signals are broadly defined as electromagnetic signals ranging in the visible region or in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, for instance. Photonic chips typically have one or more waveguide(s) running atop a substrate with one or more photonic component(s) interconnected between the waveguide(s).

In some applications, photonic chips configured to enhance or suppress the electromagnetic field (or optical power) within a given spectral range are highly desirable. To do so, the photonic component can be provided in the form of an interferometer such as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). A MZI splits an input waveguide into two separate waveguides, typically referred as arm paths, which are then recombined into an output waveguide. Differences in the propagation parameters along the two arm paths, such as a length difference, can induce a relative phase shift which can in turn lead to constructive or destructive interference where the two arm paths are recombined. As a MZI can lead to field enhancement in the case of constructive interference, it can also lead to field suppression in the case of destruction interference. However, field enhancement or suppression obtained through a MZI is not necessarily limited to a given spectral range.

Other photonic components acting as band-pass filters can limit the field enhancement or suppression to the given spectral range. Examples of such band-pass filters can include, but are not limited to, resonators such as ring resonators. When such a ring resonator is evanescently coupled to a waveguide carrying an optical signal, optical power ranging within a resonant spectral range of the ring resonator is allowed to build up over multiple round trips due to constructive interference and total internal reflection occurring within the ring resonator. The optical power buildup can lead to field enhancement only within the resonant spectral range, which can be significantly narrow in some applications. The narrowness and/or spectral position of the resonant spectral range can be modified based on the materials of the waveguide and of the ring resonator, or on a distance between the waveguide and the ring resonator, to name only a few examples, see for example in <NPL>), XP055433463.

Although existing photonic chips enhancing or suppressing field within a given spectral range are satisfactory to a certain degree, there remains room for improvement.

While the invention is described in the independent claims, further aspects of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims, the drawings and the following description. There is described a resonant interferometric coupler which is configured for enhancing or suppressing field within a specific spectral width. Broadly described, the resonant interferometric coupler has a bus waveguide carrying an optical signal having optical power spanning across a given spectral range. The bus waveguide has an input section through which the optical signal is received, a bent section and an output section serially connected to one another. The resonant interferometric coupler has a first resonator having a first evanescent coupling point with the input section and a second evanescent coupling point with the output section. The first resonator has first resonances at least partially overlapping the given spectral range of the optical signal. As such, field enhancement is allowed to occur within the first resonator for optical power being distributed within the first resonances. An interferometer is also provided. The interferometer has a first arm path extending along the bent section between the first and second evanescent coupling points and a second arm path extending along the first resonator between the first and second evanescent coupling points. In this way, the field enhancement occurring within the first resonator, i.e., along the second arm path, is also fed to the first arm path by way of the first coupling point and the rotary nature of the first resonator, which can further benefit field manipulation. The resonant interferometric coupler also has a second resonator having a third evanescent coupling point with the bent section. The second resonator has a second resonance overlapping with at least one of the first resonances and across which a phase shift is imparted. The phase shift imparted by the second resonator can cause interference at the second evanescent coupling point where the first and second arm paths are recombined to one another. In this way, field enhancement or suppression can be designed to occur over a very specific spectral range based on the design of the first and second resonators, thereby allowing for selective resonant control of the quality factor of one or more resonances of the first and second resonators. In some embodiments, a tuning mechanism acting on the second resonator can be used to modify (e.g., move, narrow, broaden) the second resonance(s) of the second resonator.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a resonant interferometric coupler comprising: a substrate; a bus waveguide mounted to the substrate, the bus waveguide having in serial connection an input section, a bent section and an output section; a first resonator mounted to the substrate and having a first evanescent coupling point with the input section and a second evanescent coupling point with the output section, the first resonator having first resonances; an interferometer having a first arm path extending along the bent section between the first and second evanescent coupling points, and a second arm path extending along the first resonator between the first and second evanescent coupling points; and a second resonator being mounted to the substrate and having a third evanescent coupling point with the bent section, the second resonator having at least a second resonance overlapping with at least one of the first resonances and across which a first phase shift is imparted, the first phase shift causing interference at the second evanescent coupling point.

Further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the resonant interferometric coupler can for example comprise a tuning mechanism mounted to the substrate, the tuning mechanism being operable to modify the second resonance of the second resonator.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the tuning mechanism can for example include a heater configured for heating at least an area of the second resonator.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the resonant interferometric coupler can for example comprise a thermal barrier thermally insulating the first and second resonators from one another.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the resonant interferometric coupler can for example comprise at least a third resonator mounted to the substrate and adjacent to the second resonator, the third resonator having at least a fourth coupling point with the bent section and at least a third resonance overlapping with at least one of the first resonances and across which a second phase shift is imparted.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the third resonance can for example be spectrally spaced apart from the second resonance.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the second resonator can for example have a fourth coupling point with the bent section downstream from the third coupling point.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least one of the first resonator and the second resonator can for example be a ring resonator.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the second resonance can for example be twice as broad as the one of the first resonances.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the substrate can for example be made of silicon, the bus waveguide can consist of one of silicon-oxide and silicon-nitride, and the second resonance can have a full width at half maximum of about <NUM>.

Still further in accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, the first phase shift imparted by the second resonator can for example be frequency dependent.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of modifying an optical signal using a resonant interferometric coupler, the resonant interferometric coupler having a bus waveguide having in serial connection an input section, a bent section and an output section, a first resonator being evanescently coupled with the input section at a first coupling point and evanescently coupled with the output section at a second coupling point, an interferometer having a first arm path extending along the bent section between the first and second coupling points, and a second arm path extending along the first resonator between the first and second coupling points, the method comprising: splitting an optical signal into a first optical signal portion propagated along the first arm path and a second optical signal portion propagated along the second arm path; the second optical signal resonating within the first resonator at first resonances of the first resonator; using a second resonator being evanescently coupled to the bent section at a third coupling point, imparting a first phase shift to the first optical signal portion across at least a second resonance at least partially overlapping with one of the first resonances; and at the second coupling point downstream from the third coupling point, coupling the first and second optical signal portions to one another, the first phase shift causing interference at least for the second resonance; and outputting an output optical signal modified by said interference at the output waveguide.

Further in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, the method can for example comprise tuning the second resonance of the second resonator.

Still further in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, said tuning can for example include at least one of spectrally shifting the second resonance, narrowing the second resonance and broadening the second resonance.

Still further in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, said tuning can for example include heating at least an area of the second resonator.

Still further in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, said tuning can for example include modifying a refractive index of the second resonator.

Still further in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, the method can for example comprise thermally insulating the first and second resonators from one another.

Still further in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, the second resonance can for example be twice as broad as the one of the first resonances.

Still further in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, the optical signal can for example have optical power distribution within a telecommunication band, and the second resonance can have a full width at half maximum of about <NUM>.

Still further in accordance with the second aspect of the present disclosure, the first phase shift imparted by the second resonator can for example be frequency dependent.

All technical implementation details and advantages described with respect to a particular aspect of the present invention are self-evidently mutatis mutandis applicable for all other aspects of the present invention.

Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure.

This disclosure describes a resonant interferometric coupler configured to control an effective linear coupling between a first resonator and a bus waveguide. When an optical signal travels through the first resonator, it undergoes a phase shift that ranges from <NUM> to 2π across one or more of its resonances. This effect is exploited using an interferometer to realize an effective coupler between the first resonator and the bus waveguide with the coupling efficiency being controlled over a specific frequency range by means of a second resonator. By changing the effective coupling efficiency, the quality factor of a selected resonance can be increased or decreased to enhance or suppress any light-matter interaction taking place at that resonance. The resonant interferometric coupler can thus enable the control of a spectral position and/or a quality factor of one or more of its resonances. By controlling its resonances, the strength of any nonlinear interaction(s) can be enhanced at these resonances. Since field enhancement at each resonance depends on a resonator size and associated energy dissipation rate, which is inversely proportional to the mode quality factor, the control of such properties is desired to enhance desired nonlinear processes while suppressing unwanted spurious effects. These nonlinear processes can include, but are not limited to, parametric fluorescence, four-wave mixing, Raman scattering, fluorescence, squeezed light and the like. As described below, the resonant interferometric coupler can control of the quality factor of individual resonance(s) without affecting the other resonances of the resonators, offer dynamic tunability after fabrication, reduce thermal cross talk in the case of heaters that are used as tuning elements, provide scalability to control multiple resonances and also provide broad compatibility in terms of material platforms and wavelength ranges.

<FIG> shows an example of such a resonant interferometric coupler <NUM>. As depicted, the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has a substrate <NUM> and a bus waveguide <NUM> mounted to the substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> can be any suitable type of substrate which can act as a photonic wafer. Examples of photonic wafers can include, but are not limited to, silicon wafers, silicon nitride wafers, zinc oxide wafers, aluminum nitride wafers, indium gallium wafers, gallium arsenide wafers, gallium nitride wafers, silicon carbide wafers, lithium niobate wafers, barium titanate oxide wafers, lithium tantalite wafers, langasite wafers, germanium wafers, germanium on silicon wafers, other III-V semiconductors wafers, or any other optical wafers which may be used in the telecommunications and photonic-integrated circuit industries. In some embodiments, the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has one or more cap layers deposited atop the bus waveguide <NUM> and the remainder of the substrate <NUM>.

As shown, the bus waveguide <NUM> has in serial connection an input section 104a, a bent section 104b and an output section 104c. In some embodiments, the bus waveguide <NUM> can run atop the substrate <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the bus waveguide <NUM> can be wholly or partially buried within the substrate <NUM>. Typically, the bus waveguide <NUM> is a strip waveguide. However, the bus waveguide <NUM> can be any type of waveguide including, but not limited to, a rib waveguide, a segmented waveguide, a photonic crystal waveguide, a triangular-shaped waveguide, an optical fiber waveguide and the like.

The bus waveguide <NUM> is configured for receiving an optical signal <NUM> at the input section 104a, which is then propagated to the output section 104c via the bent section 104b. In some embodiments, the optical signal <NUM> can be a frequency comb <NUM> having a given free spectral range FSR such as illustrated in <FIG>. The optical signal <NUM> can be of any type of coherent light distributed within the visible region, the near-infrared region, the mid-infrared region and/or the far-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Typically, the optical signal <NUM> can be within some telecommunication bands including, but not limited to, the original band (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>), the extended band (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>), the short wavelength band (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>), the conventional band (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>), the long-wavelength band (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>), the ultra-long wavelength band (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>) and the like.

The resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has a first resonator <NUM> mounted to the substrate <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the first resonator <NUM> is provided in the form of a race-track ring resonator. In practice, ring resonators may be preferred over other types of resonators as they are easier to manufacture. However, in some other embodiments, the first resonator <NUM> can be provided in the form of a photonic crystal ring resonator, a traditional total internal reflection (TIR) resonator, a whispering-gallery mode resonator, and the like. Nonlinear interactions may take place inside the first resonator. Accordingly, the first resonator <NUM> may preferably be made of material which can sustain high intensities and/or materials which exhibit strong nonlinear optical susceptibility.

As shown, the first resonator <NUM> has a first evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the input section 104a and a second evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the output section 104c. The optical coupling between the bus waveguide <NUM> and the first resonator <NUM> is made through the evanescent field of the optical signal <NUM>, which extends outside of the bus waveguide <NUM> in an exponentially decreasing radial profile. As the first resonator <NUM> and the bus waveguide <NUM> are brought closely together at the first or second evanescent coupling point <NUM>,<NUM>, optical power from the bus waveguide <NUM> can couple into the first resonator <NUM>, or vice versa. There can be three factors that affect such an evanescent coupling: i) the distance d between the bus waveguide <NUM> and the first resonator <NUM>, ii) the coupling length Ld and iii) the refractive indices of the bus waveguide <NUM> and the first resonator <NUM>. To optimize the coupling, narrowing the distance d between the first resonator <NUM> and the bus waveguide <NUM> is usually preferred.

In this embodiment, the bent section 104b has a C- or U-shaped waveguide section having a first bent section extending away from the first resonator <NUM> and a second bent section extending back towards the first resonator <NUM>. When the optical signal <NUM> is inputted at the input section 104a of the bus waveguide <NUM>, a first portion of the optical signal (hereinafter "first optical signal portion") is propagated towards the bent section 104b of the bus waveguide <NUM> whereas a second portion of the optical signal (hereinafter "second optical signal portion") is coupled into the first resonator <NUM>.

Due to its shape, size, refractive index and other parameters, the first resonator <NUM> has one or more first resonances, hereinafter referred to as first resonant wavelengths λR,<NUM>. The first resonant wavelengths λR,<NUM>, and any other resonances referred to herein, include one or more wavelengths (or frequencies) of the optical signal <NUM> that resonate within the corresponding resonator. In some embodiments, in order for light to interfere constructively inside the first resonator <NUM> and create a resonant effect, the circumference or effective length of the first resonator <NUM> must be an integer multiple of the wavelength of the optical signal <NUM>. As such, only given wavelengths allow resonance to take place within the first resonator <NUM>. As a result, when the optical signal <NUM> contains multiple wavelengths (e.g., white light), only the first resonant wavelengths λR,<NUM> are able to pass through the first resonator <NUM> fully. It is noted that as the circumference or effective length of the first resonator <NUM> can dictate which wavelengths are resonant, the first resonances can be selected through construction parameters (e.g., shape, diameter, circumference) of the first resonator <NUM>. The optical power distributed at resonance builds up over a number of round trips, resulting in field enhancement for these resonant wavelengths. Examples of first resonances are shown in <FIG>. As depicted, some wavelengths of the optical signal are resonant as they exhibit higher optical power than wavelengths outside the first resonances. Typically, wavelengths outside the first resonances are not able to bounce within the first resonator <NUM> and tend to leak outside the first resonator <NUM>, which may cause optical losses at these wavelengths. The first resonator <NUM> may impart a first phase shift φ1 to the first resonant wavelengths λR,<NUM>. The first phase shift φ1 may range between <NUM> and 2π radians in some embodiments. The phase shift φ1 may be a wavelength-dependent (or frequency-dependent) phase shift φ1(λ) in some embodiments. As such, each one of the first resonant wavelengths λR,<NUM> may be imparted a respective first phase shift φ1' by resonating within the first resonator.

Referring back to <FIG>, the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has an interferometer <NUM> which can be of the Mach-Zehnder type. As shown, the interferometer <NUM> has a first arm path 116a extending along the bent section 104b between the first and second evanescent coupling points <NUM> and <NUM> and a second arm path 116b extending along the first resonator <NUM> between the first and second evanescent coupling points <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, the first optical signal portion is propagated along the first arm path 116a whereas the second optical signal portion is propagated along the second arm path 116b. As discussed above, the second optical signal portion does round trips within the first resonator <NUM> which can enhance optical power distributed at the first resonant wavelengths λR,<NUM>. The second optical signal is simultaneously and continuously delivered into the output section 104c via the second evanescent coupling point <NUM> but also into the bent section 104b via the first evanescent coupling point <NUM> due to the rotary nature of the first resonator <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a length difference between the first and second arm paths 116a and 116b creates a relative phase shift between the first optical signal portion propagating along the first arm path 116a and the second optical signal portion propagating along the second arm path 116b. In some embodiments, this length-induced relative phase-shift can create constructive or destructive interference where the optical signal portions are recombined to one another at the second evanescent coupling point <NUM>. In some embodiments, the length difference between the first and second arm paths 116a and 116b may be designed to favour constructive or destructive interference, depending on the application.

As such a length-induced relative phase shift can provide field enhancement or suppression, it may not be limited to a certain spectral range. As illustrated, the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> is provided with a second resonator <NUM> mounted to the substrate <NUM>. More specifically, the second resonator <NUM> has a third evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the bent section 104b. The second resonator <NUM> can be provided in the form of a race-track ring resonator, a photonic crystal ring resonator, a TIR resonator, a whispering-gallery mode resonator, and the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the second resonator <NUM> has one or more second resonances overlapping with at least one of the first resonances and across which a second phase shift φ2 is imparted. This can be obtained by selecting proper lengths for the first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM>. This can be achieved by choosing the lengths of the first and second resonator <NUM> and <NUM> to be commensurable, e.g., the length of the second resonator <NUM> being ¾ of the length of the first resonators <NUM>. Typical lengths of the first resonator <NUM> depends on the operational wavelength range, in the telecom bandwidth they can be of the order of a few hundreds of micrometres or longer. In some embodiments, the length of the bent waveguide 104b extending between the first and second evanescent coupling points <NUM> and <NUM> is set to achieve a desired coupling efficiency of the first resonances that are to be unaffected by the second resonator <NUM>, i.e., the first resonances which do not overlap with the second resonances. When the field is in resonance with both the first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM>, it undergoes an additional phase shift, i.e., the second phase shift φ2. Since the second phase shift φ2 can range from <NUM> to 2π, complete control over the interference of the interferometer can be provided, which can in turn result in an increase or a decrease of the coupling efficiency of the first resonator <NUM> to the bus waveguide <NUM> at the second evanescent coupling point <NUM>.

As such, second resonant wavelength(s) λR,<NUM> correspond(s) to some of the first resonant wavelengths λR,<NUM>. As shown, the second phase shift φ2 may be a wavelength-dependent (or frequency-dependent) phase shift φ2(λ) in some embodiments. Each second resonant wavelength(s) may be imparted a respective second phase shift φ2' by resonating within the second resonator <NUM>. It is noted that the second phase shift φ2 which is selectively imparted on the second resonant wavelength(s) leads to interference at the second evanescent coupling point <NUM> where the first and second resonances are recombined to one another at the output section 104c. For instance, if the first phase shift φ1' imparted by the first resonator <NUM> on a given resonant wavelength is <NUM> or 2π and the second phase shift φ2' imparted by the second resonator <NUM> on the given resonant wavelength is <NUM> or 2π, then constructive interference at the given resonant wavelength can occur at the second evanescent coupling point <NUM>. If the first phase shift φ1' imparted by the first resonator <NUM> on a given resonant wavelength is <NUM> or 2π and the second phase shift φ2' imparted by the second resonator <NUM> on the given resonant wavelength is π, then destructive interference at the given resonant wavelength can occur at the second evanescent coupling point <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the size, shape, refractive index and other parameters of the first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM> are collectively designed to promote constructive or destructive interference for a single resonance or for a set of specific resonances. In some embodiments, the second resonance is twice as broad as the one of the first resonances, preferably five times as broad as the one of the first resonances and most preferably ten times as broad as the one of the first resonances. In some other embodiments, the second resonance is twice as narrow as the first resonance, preferably five times as narrow as the first resonance and most preferably ten times as narrow as the first resonance. In embodiments where the substrate is silicon, the waveguides are composed of silicon-oxide or silicon-nitride, and the desired wavelengths are distributed in the telecoms band, the first and second resonances can have a full width at half maximum of about <NUM>, preferably about <NUM> and most preferably about <NUM>. It is noted that these values can vary depending on the embodiment. For instance, the absolute values of the first and second resonances' widths can vary depending on the material platform and wavelength of the optical signal. It is intended that by using a second resonator <NUM> instead of a broadband phase shifting device, a phase shift can be imparted on a significantly narrower bandwidth, which can provide significant advantages. Accordingly, the construction of the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> can be carefully designed to select wavelengths at which field enhancement or suppression can occur.

<FIG> shows another example of a resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> for modifying an optical signal <NUM>. In this embodiment, the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has a substrate <NUM>, and a bus waveguide <NUM> mounted to the substrate <NUM>. The bus waveguide <NUM> has in serial connection an input section 204a, a bent section 204b and an output section 204c. A first resonator <NUM> is mounted to the substrate <NUM>. As shown, the first resonator <NUM> has a first evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the input section 204a and a second evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the output section 204c. The resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has an interferometer <NUM> having a first arm path 216a extending along the bent section 204b and a second arm path 216b extending along the first resonator <NUM> between the first and second evanescent coupling points <NUM> and <NUM>. A second resonator <NUM> is mounted to the substrate <NUM>. As shown, the second resonator <NUM> has a third evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the bent section 204b. In this specific embodiment, both the first resonator <NUM> and the second resonator <NUM> are provided in the form of a ring resonator of a circular shape. The first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM> can differ in size, shape, refractive index or other parameters so as to provide different resonances. Preferably, the lengths, sizes and shapes of the first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM> are selected to provide desired first and second resonances. Moreover, the length of the bent waveguide 204b extending between the first and second evanescent coupling points <NUM> and <NUM> is set to achieve a desired coupling efficiency of the first resonances that are to be unaffected by the second resonator <NUM>. More specifically, in this example, the first resonator <NUM> has first resonances whereas the second resonator <NUM> has at least a second resonance overlapping at least partially with one of the first resonances. <FIG> shows another example where the second resonator <NUM> is provided in the form of a photonic crystal ring resonator <NUM>' instead of a ring resonator. In this example, the second resonance may be defined by the spacing distances between the micro-cavities, for instance.

Referring back to <FIG>, the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has a tuning mechanism <NUM> mounted to the substrate <NUM>. The tuning mechanism <NUM> is operable to modify the second resonance of the second resonator <NUM> as desired. It was found that although the manufacturing of the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> can be made with great precision and accuracy, difference in tolerances can play a significant role in obtaining a second resonator <NUM> having the desired second resonance. Accordingly, by using the tuning mechanism <NUM>, the second resonance can be modified as desired post-fabrication at any time during the life of the resonant interferometer coupler <NUM>. The tuning mechanism <NUM> can be used to modify the second resonance dynamically as a function of time. Fabrication defects or temperature drifts, to name only a few examples, can thus be compensated by operating the tuning mechanism, thereby adding flexibility and enabling scalability.

In some embodiments, the tuning mechanism <NUM> can be configured to spectrally move, narrow or broaden the second resonance as desired. For instance, the tuning mechanism <NUM> can include a heater <NUM> configured for heating at least an area A of the second resonator <NUM> which can in turn modify the second resonator's size, shape, refractive index, or a combination thereof. The heater <NUM> can be provided in the form of two or more electrical contacts <NUM> propagating an electric signal across a resistive region <NUM> proximate to the second resonator <NUM>. The resistive region <NUM> can include a resistive element or simply a portion of the substrate depending on the embodiment. As shown in this embodiment, the first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM> are thermally insulated from one another using a thermal barrier <NUM>. The thermal barrier <NUM> can prevent the heat generated by the heater from modifying the first resonances of the first resonator <NUM> in addition to the second resonance of the second resonator <NUM>. In other words, the thermal barrier <NUM> can prevent thermal crosstalk between the first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, the thermal barrier <NUM> is provided in the form of a first wall <NUM> partition defining on one side a first chamber 244a encompassing the first resonator <NUM> and on an opposing side a second chamber 244b encompassing the second resonator <NUM>. In some embodiments, the thermal barrier is provided in the form of a spacing distance separating the first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM> from one another. In these embodiments, air filling the spacing distance can act as the thermal barrier <NUM>. In these latter embodiments, partitions such as the first wall <NUM> and other thermally insulating elements can be omitted. When the first and second chambers <NUM> and <NUM> are thermally insulated from one another, heat generated by the heater <NUM> proximate to the second resonator <NUM> may not interfere with the temperature proximate to the first resonator <NUM>. Consequently, the second resonance may be modified while keeping the first resonances unaffected. In some embodiments, the lack of thermal crosstalk between the first and second resonators <NUM> and <NUM> can have significant advantages including, but not limited to, making the control of the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> simpler, and facilitating the addition of third, fourth or other resonators without creating a difficult-to-control set of interacting elements, to name a few examples.

In some other embodiments, the tuning mechanism <NUM> can include a cooler which can, for instance via Peltier effect, cool the second resonator <NUM> thereby modifying the second resonance. Other types of tuning mechanisms can be used in some other embodiments. For instance, the tuning mechanism <NUM> can include an electro-optical module varying the refractive index of a portion of the second resonator <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electro-optical module can be driven in a static or in a dynamic fashion. In some other embodiments, the tuning mechanism <NUM> can include a source shining light or pumping electrons into the area A proximate to the second resonator <NUM>. The light or pumped electrons can excite electrons within the second resonator and thereby change its local refractive index leading to a change in the second resonance of the second resonator. Although only the second resonator <NUM> is shown with a tuning mechanism, it is noted that another tuning mechanism can be provided to the first resonator <NUM> to modify its first resonances. In some embodiments, each resonator of the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has its own, dedicated and independent tuning mechanism.

<FIG> are graphs showing intensity enhancement as a function of frequency for the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM>. In these simulations, κ denotes the coupling coefficient of the second resonator <NUM> and more specifically of the coupling occurring at the third evanescent coupling point <NUM>. As shown, <FIG> shows the intensity enhancement in a situation where κ = <NUM>, i.e., in a situation with no coupling. <FIG> show the resonances in situations where κ = <NUM> and κ = <NUM>, respectively. It is noted that as the coupling coefficient κ increases, the intensity enhancement of the resonances at <NUM>×2π THz and <NUM>×2π THz is reduced. The dotted lines represent the frequency-dependent phase shift between the first and second arm paths 216a and 216b of the interferometric coupler <NUM>. The above-described approach can be generalized to other configurations in which the second resonator is more complicated, featuring a desired set of resonances with the proper width. Indeed, to produce the desired phase shift configuration one has to be able to control the position of the second resonances of the second resonator and their spectral widths. To this end, there are several possible configurations that can be adopted. For example, the independent control of several resonances (even in the case in which the resonances are not evenly spaced in frequency) can be obtained by using several second resonators of different sizes, each of them targeted to a specific set of resonances such as shown in <FIG>.

More specifically, <FIG> shows another example of a resonant interferometric coupler <NUM>. In this embodiment, the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has a substrate <NUM>, and a bus waveguide <NUM> mounted to the substrate <NUM>. The bus waveguide <NUM> has in serial connection an input section 404a, a bent section 404b and an output section 404c. A first resonator <NUM> is mounted to the substrate <NUM>. As shown, the first resonator <NUM> has a first evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the input section 404a and a second evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the output section 404c. The resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has an interferometer <NUM> having a first arm path 416a extending along the bent section 404b and a second arm path 416b extending along the first resonator <NUM> between the first and second evanescent coupling points <NUM> and <NUM>. As depicted, second and third resonators 420a and 420b are mounted to the substrate <NUM>. As shown, the second and third resonators 420a and 420b have third and fourth evanescent coupling points 422a and 422b with the bent section 404b. The second resonator 420a has at least a second resonance and the third resonator 420b has at least a third resonance. Typically, the second and third resonances are spectrally spaced apart from one another. However, they may at least partially overlap with one another in some embodiments. Each of the second and third resonances at least partially overlap with one or more of the first resonances of the first resonator <NUM>. In some embodiments, the second and third resonators 420a and 420b can have dedicated tuning mechanisms 430a and 430b operated independently from one another. More specifically, the second resonator 420a can have a first tuning mechanism 430a operable to modify the second resonance and the third resonator 420b can have a second tuning mechanism 430b operable to modify the third resonance, with the first and second tuning mechanisms 430a and 430b being independent from one another. Moreover, in embodiments where the first and second tuning mechanisms 430a and 430b involves heater(s), one or more thermal barriers <NUM> can be provided to thermally insulate the first, second and third resonators <NUM>, 420a and 420b from one another. In these embodiments, the thermal barriers <NUM> can be provided in the form of wall partitions separating the resonators, spacing distances distancing the resonators from one another, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the first resonator <NUM> is provided with its own dedicated tuning mechanism <NUM> as well.

In embodiments where adjusting a spectral width of the second resonator is desired, embodiments such as the one shown in <FIG> can be used. More specifically, the spectral width of the second resonator can be adjusted by selecting the distance between the second resonator and the bus waveguide and also by connecting the second resonator using two different evanescent coupling points, thereby creating a second interferometer. It was found that this configuration can allow the overcoming of limits set by evanescent coupling for some material platforms and wavelength ranges. For instance, such a configuration may be advantageous using material platforms having lower coupling efficiencies.

<FIG> shows another example of a resonant interferometric coupler <NUM>. In this embodiment, the resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has a substrate <NUM>, a bus waveguide <NUM> mounted to the substrate. The bus waveguide <NUM> has in serial connection an input section 504a, a bent section 504b and an output section 504c. A first resonator <NUM> is mounted to the substrate <NUM>. As shown, the first resonator <NUM> has a first evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the input section 504a and a second evanescent coupling point <NUM> with the output section 504c. The resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> has a first interferometer <NUM> having a first arm path 516a extending along the bent section 504b and a second arm path 516b extending along the first resonator <NUM> between the first and second evanescent coupling points <NUM> and <NUM>. The resonant interferometric coupler <NUM> is provided with a second resonator <NUM> which has third and fourth evanescent coupling points 522a and 522b with the bent section 504b of the bus waveguide <NUM>. As shown, the fourth evanescent coupling point 522b is downstream from the third evanescent coupling point 522a along the bent section 504b of the bus waveguide <NUM>. As shown, the second resonator <NUM> is positioned within the given perimeter formed by the bent waveguide <NUM> and the second arm path 516b along the first resonator <NUM>. In other embodiments, the second resonator <NUM> may be positioned outside of the given perimeter. For instance, in situations where the second resonator <NUM> is provided in the form of a ring resonator, the bus waveguide <NUM> may have curvilinear sections, including at least a concave section, being coupled to the second resonator <NUM> at the third and fourth evanescent coupling points 522a and 522b. In some other embodiments, the second resonator <NUM> can be provided in the form of a photonic crystal resonator positioned within and/or outside the given perimeter. Such a configuration can lead to a second interferometer <NUM> having a third arm path 536a between the third and fourth evanescent coupling points 522a and 522b along the bent section 504b and a fourth arm path 522a and 522b between the third and fourth evanescent coupling points 522a and 522b along the second resonator <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is described a method <NUM> of modifying an optical signal using a resonant interferometric coupler such as those described above. For instance, the resonant interferometric coupler has a bus waveguide having in serial connection an input section, a bent section and an output section, a first resonator being evanescently coupled with the input section at a first coupling point and evanescently coupled with the output section at a second coupling point, an interferometer having a first arm path extending along the bent section between the first and second coupling points, and a second arm path extending along the first resonator between the first and second coupling points. The resonant interferometric coupler used in the method <NUM> can be performed using any one of the resonant interferometric couplers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM> described above or any other suitable coupler.

The method <NUM> has a step <NUM> of splitting an optical signal into a first optical signal portion propagated along the first arm path and a second optical signal portion propagated along the second arm path. At step <NUM>, the second optical signal resonates within the first resonator at the first resonances of the first resonator. At step <NUM>, a first phase shift is imparted to the first optical signal portion across a second resonance at least partially overlapping with one of the first resonances. At step <NUM>, the first and second optical signal portions are coupled to one another at the second coupling point, thereby causing constructive or destructive interference at least for the second resonance. At step <NUM>, an output optical signal modified by the interference of the fourth step is outputted at the output waveguide.

In some embodiments, the method <NUM> has a step <NUM> of tuning the second resonance of the second resonator. The step <NUM> of tuning can include spectrally shifting the second resonance, spectrally narrowing the second resonance and/or spectrally broadening the second resonance. In some embodiments, the step <NUM> of tuning can include a step of heating at least an area of the second resonator. The area heated can be proximate to the resonator. For instance, the area heated can be part of the second resonator or part of the substrate on which rests the second resonator. In these embodiments, the method <NUM> can include a step of thermally insulating the first and second resonators from one another. In some embodiments, the step <NUM> of tuning includes modifying a refractive index of the bent section, modifying a refractive index of the second resonator or a combination thereof. It is noted that the step <NUM> of tuning the second resonance is optional in some embodiments and can be omitted.

Claim 1:
A resonant interferometric coupler comprising:
a substrate;
a bus waveguide mounted to the substrate, the bus waveguide having in serial connection an input section, a bent section and an output section;
a first resonator mounted to the substrate and having a first evanescent coupling point with the input section and a second evanescent coupling point with the output section, the first resonator having first resonances;
an interferometer having a first arm path extending along the bent section between the first and second evanescent coupling points, and a second arm path extending along the first resonator between the first and second evanescent coupling points; and characterized by
a second resonator being mounted to the substrate and having a third evanescent coupling point with the bent section, the second resonator having at least a second resonance overlapping with at least one of the first resonances and across which a first phase shift is imparted, the first phase shift causing interference at the second evanescent coupling point.