Nonlinear Fabry-Perot resonator with a silicon photonic crystal waveguide

We derive an equation that describes the nonlinear operation of a Fabry-Perot resonator with a large group index waveguide. Specifically, a silicon photonic crystal microcavity with two-photon-excited free carrier nonlinearity and Kerr nonlinearity is assumed. The equation clearly explains the bistability of the device and the reduction of the required pump energy for a specific nonlinear phase shift at an appropriate phase detuning from the resonance. We present a simple procedure to predict the required optical pump energy for the modulation and the resulting modulation depth by use of the equation and the device parameters. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.