SOI-ring waveguide-coupled double-layer graphene modulator

The electro-optic modulator is an important component in the optical interconnected system, which plays a role in controlling optical signal by electrical pulse. The 3 dB bandwidth is a representative performance parameter that determines the maximum amount of information that can be carried in the input light. An electro-absorption optical modulator concept based upon a dual-graphene layer is presented. The device consists of a silicon-on-insulator micro-ring waveguide resonator upon which two graphene layers reside, separated by a thin insulating region. The lower graphene acts as a tunable absorber, while the upper layer functions as a transparent gate electrode. Calculations based upon realistic graphene material properties and the optical path amplification of micro-ring waveguide resonator show that 3 dB bandwidths over 100 GHz are achievable at near =1.55 m. In addition, the structure of micro-ring waveguide resonator can be easily integrated with optical Wavelength Division Multiplexing(WDM) interconnection system, so as to enhance the degree of integration and reduce technical complexity.