Ultrafast all-optical arithmetic logic based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon microring resonators

Dusan Gostimirovic; Winnie N. Ye

doi:10.1117/12.2211038

14 March 2016 Ultrafast all-optical arithmetic logic based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon microring resonators

Dusan Gostimirovic, Winnie N. Ye

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9752, Silicon Photonics XI; 97520X (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2211038
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

For decades, the semiconductor industry has been steadily shrinking transistor sizes to fit more performance into a single silicon-based integrated chip. This technology has become the driving force for advances in education, transportation, and health, among others. However, transistor sizes are quickly approaching their physical limits (channel lengths are now only a few silicon atoms in length), and Moore's law will likely soon be brought to a stand-still despite many unique attempts to keep it going (FinFETs, high-k dielectrics, etc.). This technology must then be pushed further by exploring (almost) entirely new methodologies. Given the explosive growth of optical-based long-haul telecommunications, we look to apply the use of high-speed optics as a substitute to the digital model; where slow, lossy, and noisy metal interconnections act as a major bottleneck to performance. We combine the (nonlinear) optical Kerr effect with a single add-drop microring resonator to perform the fundamental AND-XOR logical operations of a half adder, by all-optical means. This process is also applied to subtraction, higher-order addition, and the realization of an all-optical arithmetic logic unit (ALU). The rings use hydrogenated amorphous silicon as a material with superior nonlinear properties to crystalline silicon, while still maintaining CMOS-compatibility and the many benefits that come with it (low cost, ease of fabrication, etc.). Our method allows for multi-gigabit-per-second data rates while maintaining simplicity and spatial minimalism in design for high-capacity manufacturing potential.

Citation Download Citation

Dusan Gostimirovic and Winnie N. Ye "Ultrafast all-optical arithmetic logic based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon microring resonators", Proc. SPIE 9752, Silicon Photonics XI, 97520X (14 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2211038

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
8 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Microrings

Resonators

Logic

Refractive index

Silicon

Switching

Waveguides

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years