Silicon microsphere photonics - art. no. 65931J

Abstract

Electrophotonic integrated circuits (EPICs), or alternatively, optoelectronic integrated circuit (OEICs) are the natural evolution of the microelectronic integrated circuit (IC) with the added benefit of photonic capabilities. Traditionally, the microelectronics IC industry has been based on group IV silicon, whereas the microphotonics industry on group III-V semiconductors. However, silicon based photonic microdevices have been making strands in "siliconizing" photonics. Silicon microspheres with their high quality factor whispering gallery modes (WGMs), are ideal candidates for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) in the standard near-infrared telecommunications bands. In our experiments, we are using silicon microspheres with a refractive index of 3.48 and a radius of 500 micrometers. The optical resonances of the silicon microspheres provide the necessary narrow linewidths, that are needed for high resolution WDM applications. Potential WDM applications include filters, modulators, switches, detectors, and possibly light sources.