A 25 Gbps silicon microring modulator based on an interleaved junction

A silicon microring modulator utilizing an interleaved p-n junction phase shifter with a V pi L of 0.76 V-cm and a minimum off-resonance insertion loss of less than 0.2 dB is demonstrated. The modulator operates at 25 Gbps at a drive voltage of 1.6 V and 2-3 dB excess optical insertion loss, conditions which correspond to a power consumption of 471 fJ/bit. Eye diagrams are characterized at up to 40 Gbps, and transmission is demonstrated across more than 10 km of single-mode fiber with minimal signal degradation. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America