| Authors: | L. Van Iseghem, E. Picavet, A.Y. Takabayashi, P. Edinger, U. Khan, P. Verheyen, N. Quack , K. B. Gylfason, K. De Buysser, J. Beeckman, W. Bogaerts | | Title: | Low power optical phase shifter using liquid crystal actuation on silicon photonics platform | | Format: | International Journal | | Publication date: | 6/2022 | | Journal/Conference/Book: | Optical Materials Express
| | Volume(Issue): | 12(6) p.2181-2198 | | DOI: | 10.1364/OME.457589 | | Citations: | 11 (Dimensions.ai - last update: 14/4/2024)
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Abstract
Low-power and compact phase shifters are crucial for large photonic circuits, both to cope with variability and to create programmable waveguide circuits scaling to thousands of tuning elements. This work demonstrates a liquid crystal phase shifter where a lateral silicon electrode "rail" on one side of the waveguide core. Using this architecture, a strong quasi-static electric field 𝑬actuation can be applied over the gap, which is filled with liquid crystal cladding material, with modest voltages. Because the mode is largely confined in the waveguide, optical losses are limited, compared to earlier experiments with slot waveguides. The liquid crystal is deposited locally on three different device variations using inkjet printing. The local deposition avoids unwanted interference of the liquid crystal with other optical components such as grating couplers. Measurements show similar trends as simulations of the liquid crystal orientations. For one device with a length of 50~µm, a phase shift of almost 0.9π is shown at 10~VRMS. We also discuss the challenges with this first demonstration of this phase shifter geometry using a silicon side-rail as an electrode. Related Research Topics
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