All-silicon optical transmitter operates at 100Gbps

The optical modulator is claimed to almost double the maximum data rate of current devices, demonstrating the potential for low power, low-cost all-silicon solutions that avoid complicating fabrication processes with new materials that are not CMOS compatible.

Photonic platform aims for rapid diagnosis of nRDS

The research team, led by Professor Graham Reed within Southampton’s Zepler Institute for Photonics and Nanoelectronics, have published their findings in Optica.

In their paper they note ‘the optical modulator is a critical component in systems serving modern information and communication technologies, not only in traditional data communication links but also in microwave photonics or chip-scale computing networks.’

In a statement, Dr Ke Li, lead author and lead inventor on the technology’s associated patents, said: “In contrast to previous work in the field, we have introduced a new design philosophy where photonics and electronics must be considered as a single integrated system in order to tackle the demanding technical challenges of this field.”