Heterogeneously integrated light emitting diodes and photodetectors in the metal-insulator-metal waveguide platform

We demonstrate heterogeneous integration of active semiconductor materials into the conventional passive metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguides to provide compact on-chip light generation and detection capabilities for chip-scale active nanophotonic platforms. Depending on its bias conditions, a metal-semiconductor-metal section can function as either a light emitting diode or a photodetector directly connected to the MIM waveguides. We experimentally verify the independent and combined operations of electrically-driven on-chip light sources and photodetectors.

Automated summary

We demonstrate the integration of active semiconductor materials into metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguides, enabling on-chip light generation and detection for nanoscale photonic platforms. The metal-semiconductor-metal section can function as a light emitting diode or a photodetector depending on its bias conditions. We experimentally verify the independent and combined operations of on-chip light sources and photodetectors.