An electro-optic directed decoder based on two cascaded microring resonators

We demonstrate a directed optical decoder device consisting of two cascaded microring resonators, which are both modulated through the plasma dispersion effect. The inherent resonance wavelength mismatch between two microring resonators caused by fabrication errors is compensated for by using microheaters that are fabricated on top of the microring resonators. Two electrical signals generated by pulse pattern generators are used to modulate the PIN diodes that are embedded in the device, and the results are presented by optical signals detected at the four output ports of the device. The working wavelength and driving voltages of two MRRs are measured and analyzed by the static response spectra of the device. Dynamic experimental results show that the decoding operation is achieved at a speed of 100 Mbps. (semiconductor devices)