Compact plasmonic variable optical attenuator.
We demonstrate plasmonic nanowire-based thermo-optic variable optical attenuators operating in the 1525-1625 nm wavelength range. The devices have a footprint as low as 1 mm, extinction ratio exceeding 40 dB, driving voltage below 3 V, and full modulation bandwidth of 1 kHz. The polarization dependent loss is shown to be critically dependent on the nanowire geometry but devices with polarization-dependent loss as low as +/-2.5 dB PDL over most of the attenuation range have been fabricated. We propose an even more compact device design to reduce insertion loss to approximately 1 dB.
Leosson
Kristjan
K
Science Institute, University of Iceland, Dunhagi 3, IS-107 Reykjavik, Iceland. kleos@hi.is
Rosenzveig
Tiberiu
T
Hermannsson
Petur G
PG
Boltasseva
Alexandra
A
D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005898:Glass; D008670:Metals; D053770:Nanowires / Q000737:chemistry*; D016011:Normal Distribution; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance; D013696:Temperature
D008670:Metals; D011108:Polymers