Plasmonic modulator optimized by patterning of active layer and tuning permittivity

Viktoriia Babicheva, Andrei Lavrinenko

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    Abstract

    We study an ultra-compact plasmonic modulator that can be applied in photonic integrated circuits. The modulator is a metal-insulator-metal waveguide with an additional ultra-thin layer of indium tin oxide (ITO). Bias is applied to the multilayer core by means of metal plates that serve as electrodes. External field changes carrier density in the ultra-thin ITO layer, which influences the permittivity. The metal-insulator-metal system possesses a plasmon resonance, and it is strongly affected by changes in the permittivity of the active layer. To improve performance of the structure we propose several optimizations. We examine influence of the ITO permittivity on the modulator's performance and point out appropriate values. We analyze eigenmodes of the waveguide structure and specify the range for its efficient operation. We show that substituting the continuous active layer by a one-dimension periodic stripes increases transmittance through the device and keeps the modulator's performance at the same level. The dependence on the pattern size and filling factor of the active material is analyzed and optimum parameters are found. Patterned ITO layers allow us to design a Bragg grating inside the waveguide. The grating can be turned on and off, thus modulating reflection from the structure. The considered structure with electrical control possesses a high performance and can efficiently work as a plasmonic component in nanophotonic architectures.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalOptics Communications
    Volume285
    Issue number24
    Pages (from-to)5500-5507
    ISSN0030-4018
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Bibliographical note

    NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Optics Communications. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Optics Communications, Volume 285, Issue 24, 10.1016/j.optcom.2012.07.117

    Keywords

    • Modulators
    • Surface plasmons
    • Plasmonic waveguides
    • Integrated circuits
    • Electro-optical devices
    • Waveguide Bragg gratings

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