There is an increasing need for compact demultiplexing receivers for wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals, for ultra-high bandwidth data links in server farms, optical storage networks and on-board internet/entertainment systems. This makes it necessary to develop a common technological platform for high density integration of basic optical functions (filtering, detection, switching, etc.) and to address key integration issue, such as optical coupling, timing and dispersion management, and optical routing issues (waveguide crossings). To meet this challenge, a III-V semiconductor photonic crystals (PhCs) membrane was chosen, which provide an extremely compact platform that is ideally suited to both wavelength filtering/routing and to high-speed/low-power optical switching. In this context a photodetector has been specifically developed as the electronic output of a wavelength demultiplexer receiver.

(a) High-speed, ultra-compact photonic crystal photodetector. (b) Cross section schematic detector structure.

Relevant papers:

M. Pu, L. Liu, H. Ou, K. Yvind, and J. M. Hvam, “Ultra-low-loss inverted taper coupler for silicon-on-insulator ridge waveguide”, Opt. Commun. 283, 3678–3682 (2010).

L. Ottaviano, E. Semenova, M. Schubert, K. Yvind, A. Armaroli, G. Bellanca, S. Trillo, T. N. Nguyen, M. Gay, L. Bramerie, and J. C. Simon, 67 Photonic crystal photodetector and integration with filters “High-speed photodetectors in a photonic crystal platform”, in Conf. lasers electro-optics 2012 (2012), CM1A.2.

S. Malaguti, G. Bellanca, L. Ottaviano, K. Yvind, S. Combrié, A. Rossi, and S. Trillo, “Tailored design of WDM filters in BCB embedded PhC membranes”, Opt. Quantum Electron. 45, 329–342 (2012).