title: High-modulation efficiency silicon Mach-Zehnder optical modulator based on carrier depletion in a PN Diode.
abstract: We present a high phase-shift efficiency Mach-Zehnder silicon optical modulator based on the carrier-depletion effect in a highly-doped PN diode with a small waveguide cross-sectional area. The fabricated modulator show a V(pi)L(pi) of 1.8 V x cm and phase shifter loss of 4.4 dB/mm. A device using a 750 microm-long phase-shifter exhibits an eye opening at 12.5 Gbps with an extinction ratio of 3 dB. Also, an extinction ratio of 7 dB is achieved at 4 Gbps for a device with a 2 mm-long phase shifter. Further enhancement of the extinction ratio at higher operating speed can be achieved using a travelling-wave electrode design and the optimal doping.
authors.affiliation: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, 161 Gajeong-dong, Yusong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. pjw21@etri.re.kr
authors.forename: Jeong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jong-Bum
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: In Gyoo
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gyungock
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kim