title: Demonstration of a 3-bit optical digital-to-analog converter based on silicon microring resonators.
abstract: We propose an N-bit optical digital-to-analog converter based on silicon microring resonators (MRRs), which can transform an N-bit electrical digital signal to an optical analog signal. A 3-bit optical digital-to-analog convertor is fabricated as proof of concept through a CMOS-compatible process on a silicon-on-insulator platform. The silicon MRRs are modulated through the electric-field-induced carrier injection in forward biased PN junctions embedded in the ring waveguides. The electro-optical 3-dB bandwidths of the silicon MRRs are approximately 800 MHz. The device works well at a speed of 500  MSample/s under driving voltage swings of 0.75 V.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jianfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Qiaoshan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Fanfan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang