Novel Photonic Applications of Silicon Carbide

Silicon carbide (SiC) is emerging rapidly in novel photonic applications thanks to its unique photonic properties facilitated by the advances of nanotechnologies such as nanofabrication and nanofilm transfer. This review paper will start with the introduction of exceptional optical properties of silicon carbide. Then, a key structure, i.e., silicon carbide on insulator stack (SiCOI), is discussed which lays solid fundament for tight light confinement and strong light-SiC interaction in high quality factor and low volume optical cavities. As examples, microring resonator, microdisk and photonic crystal cavities are summarized in terms of quality (Q) factor, volume and polytypes. A main challenge for SiC photonic application is complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility and low-loss material growth. The state-of-the-art SiC with different polytypes and growth methods are reviewed and a roadmap for the loss reduction is predicted for photonic applications. Combining the fact that SiC possesses many different color centers with the SiCOI platform, SiC is also deemed to be a very competitive platform for future quantum photonic integrated circuit applications. Its perspectives and potential impacts are included at the end of this review paper.

Automated summary

Silicon carbide (SiC) is rapidly advancing in novel photonic applications due to advancements in nanotechnologies and its exceptional optical properties. This review provides an introduction to the optical properties of SiC and discusses the importance of the silicon carbide on insulator stack (SiCOI) structure for light confinement and interaction in optical cavities. Various photonic cavities are summarized in terms of quality factor, volume, and polytypes. The review also addresses the challenges of CMOS compatibility and low-loss material growth for SiC photonic application. Lastly, the potential of SiC as a competitive platform for quantum photonic integrated circuits is discussed, along with its future prospects and impacts.