Abstract: Embodiments provide for an optical modulator, comprising: a lower guide, comprising: a lower hub, made of monocrystalline silicon; and a lower ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a first direction from the lower hub; an upper guide, including: an upper hub; and an upper ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, from the upper hub and is aligned with the lower ridge; and a gate oxide layer separating the lower ridge from the upper ridge and defining a waveguide region with the lower guide and the upper guide.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an optical modulator, comprising: a lower guide, comprising: a lower hub, made of monocrystalline silicon; and a lower ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a first direction from the lower hub; an upper guide, including: an upper hub; and an upper ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, from the upper hub and is aligned with the lower ridge; and a gate oxide layer separating the lower ridge from the upper ridge and defining a waveguide region with the lower guide and the upper guide.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an optical modulator, comprising: a lower guide, comprising: a lower hub, made of monocrystalline silicon; and a lower ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a first direction from the lower hub; an upper guide, including: an upper hub; and an upper ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, from the upper hub and is aligned with the lower ridge; and a gate oxide layer separating the lower ridge from the upper ridge and defining a waveguide region with the lower guide and the upper guide.

Abstract: Embodiments presented in this disclosure generally relate to optical signal processing. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a semiconductor-insulator-semiconductor capacitor (SISCAP) modulator. One embodiment includes an optical modulator having a capacitive element configured to modulate an optical signal. The capacitive element includes a single-crystal semiconductor layer, a silicon germanium layer, and a dielectric region between the single-crystal semiconductor layer and the silicon germanium layer.

Abstract: A thermo-optic phase shifter comprises an optical waveguide comprising a P-type region comprising a first contact, an N-type region comprising a second contact, and a waveguide region disposed between the P-type region and the N-type region and having a raised portion. The thermo-optic phase shifter further comprises one or more heating elements. The one or more heating elements include one or more discrete resistive heating elements or the P-type and N-type regions driven as resistive heating elements.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an optical modulator, comprising: a lower guide, comprising: a lower hub, made of monocrystalline silicon; and a lower ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a first direction from the lower hub; an upper guide, including: an upper hub; and an upper ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, from the upper hub and is aligned with the lower ridge; and a gate oxide layer separating the lower ridge from the upper ridge and defining a waveguide region with the lower guide and the upper guide.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe reverse biasing one or more PIN junctions formed in at least one layer of a PSR. The resulting electric fields in the PIN junctions overlap with the optical path of the optical signal and sweep away photo-generated hole-electron free carriers away. That is, the electric fields in the PIN junctions remove the free carriers from the path of the optical signal and reduces the population of the free carriers, thereby mitigating the negative impact of free-carrier absorption (FCA).

Abstract: A thermo-optic phase shifter comprises an optical waveguide comprising a P-type region comprising a first contact, an N-type region comprising a second contact, and a waveguide region disposed between the P-type region and the N-type region and having a raised portion. The thermo-optic phase shifter further comprises one or more heating elements. The one or more heating elements include one or more discrete resistive heating elements or the P-type and N-type regions driven as resistive heating elements.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an optical modulator, comprising: a lower guide, comprising: a lower hub, made of monocrystalline silicon; and a lower ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a first direction from the lower hub; an upper guide, including: an upper hub; and an upper ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, from the upper hub and is aligned with the lower ridge; and a gate oxide layer separating the lower ridge from the upper ridge and defining a waveguide region with the lower guide and the upper guide.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe reverse biasing one or more PIN junctions formed in at least one layer of a PSR. The resulting electric fields in the PIN junctions overlap with the optical path of the optical signal and sweep away photo-generated hole-electron free carriers away. That is, the electric fields in the PIN junctions remove the free carriers from the path of the optical signal and reduces the population of the free carriers, thereby mitigating the negative impact of free-carrier absorption (FCA).

Abstract: Embodiments provide for an optical modulator, comprising: a lower guide, comprising: a lower hub, made of monocrystalline silicon; and a lower ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a first direction from the lower hub; an upper guide, including: an upper hub; and an upper ridge, made of monocrystalline silicon that extends in a second direction, opposite of the first direction, from the upper hub and is aligned with the lower ridge; and a gate oxide layer separating the lower ridge from the upper ridge and defining a waveguide region with the lower guide and the upper guide.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a first arm comprising a first optical waveguide configured to propagate a first optical signal, and a first thermo-optic (TO) phase shifter arranged proximate to the first optical waveguide. The optical apparatus further comprises a second arm comprising a second optical waveguide configured to propagate a second optical signal, and a second TO phase shifter arranged proximate to the second optical waveguide. The optical apparatus further comprises a thermal bridge arranged between the first TO phase shifter and the second TO phase shifter.