Advances in Integrated Photonics for Communication and Sensing Applications

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 February 2022) | Viewed by 25567

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Infinera Canada Inc., 555 Legget Dr, Kanata, ON K2K 2X3, Canada
Interests: fiber optics; silicon photonics; plasmonics; nanophotonics

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Guest Editor
Institute of Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cd. Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Interests: optical communication; semiconductor lasers; fiber optics; nonlinear optics

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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Board Bazar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Interests: photonic sensors; plasmonics; nonlinear photonics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emerging applications such as cloud-based storage services, high definition streaming services, machine-to-machine communications, and 5G radio networks are fueling the need for faster, low latency and bandwidth-efficient optical networks. The requirements of these applications include increased capacity and reduced cost, power consumption, footprint, and complexity. Therefore, there is a growing trend in developing integrated optoelectronic devices to meet the above-mentioned requirements.

The need for rapid and accurate detection of analytes is also increasing for environment monitoring, food and drug quality control, and medical diagnosis. Significant advances, driven by the need to reduce cost, increase portability, and provide rapid results, have been made in the field of sensing by leveraging integrated photonics.

For this Special Issue, you are invited to submit research papers on advances in integrated photonics for communication and sensing applications. Specific areas of interest in the topic include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Photonics for massive connectivity;
  • Short reach optical interconnects;
  • Optical access technologies; 
  • Nanophotonics and plasmonic;
  • Photonic sensors.

Dr. Md Ghulam Saber
Dr. Ramón Gutiérrez Castrejón
Dr. Rakibul Hasan Sagor
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Photonics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 2773 KiB  
Article
Interconnection of Few-Mode Fibers and Photonic Integrated Circuits Using Mode-Field Adapters
by Oscar González-Cortez and Amado M. Velázquez-Benítez
Photonics 2022, 9(5), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9050319 - 6 May 2022
Viewed by 2244
Abstract
We propose a detailed method for the interconnection between optical fibers and waveguides of photonic integrated circuits. Appropriate modal transmission is accomplished by matching the mode field diameters from both waveguide structures. Links from one structure to another are created by an interconnecting [...] Read more.
We propose a detailed method for the interconnection between optical fibers and waveguides of photonic integrated circuits. Appropriate modal transmission is accomplished by matching the mode field diameters from both waveguide structures. Links from one structure to another are created by an interconnecting waveguide, maintaining a fixed coupling efficiency as its size is modified to adjust to the target waveguide core. This tailored transition acts as a mode field adapter, equalizing the transmission among multiple modes and reducing the mode-dependent losses while coupling. We present an algorithm to design the mode field adapter based on matching the effective mode areas using the power overlap integral. A study case considering a polymer photonic integrated device immediately connected to a few-mode fiber is analyzed. Coupling efficiencies over 90% for every transmitted mode are achieved, showing an evident improvement compared to typical approaches only matching core sizes. Detailed comparison of the results for each transmission mode is presented. This same procedure can be used to interconnect optical waveguides with different refractive index profiles and core geometry. Full article
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12 pages, 504 KiB  
Article
Performance Optimization of Holmium Doped Fiber Amplifiers for Optical Communication Applications in 2–2.15 μm Wavelength Range
by Abdullah G. Alharbi, Firdous Kanwal, Salman Ghafoor, Nazish Habib, Benish Kanwal, Ahmad Atieh, Tasleem Kousar and Jawad Mirza
Photonics 2022, 9(4), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9040245 - 7 Apr 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2907
Abstract
In this paper, we address the performance optimization of Holmium doped fiber amplifier (HDFA) for optical communications in 2–2.15 μm wavelength range based on a single in-band forward pump source. The performance of the HDFA is analyzed with the help of theoretical simulations [...] Read more.
In this paper, we address the performance optimization of Holmium doped fiber amplifier (HDFA) for optical communications in 2–2.15 μm wavelength range based on a single in-band forward pump source. The performance of the HDFA is analyzed with the help of theoretical simulations by considering an optimized length of Holmium doped fiber (HDF), doping concentration of Ho3+, and pump power. The impact of signal wavelength and power on gain, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise, and noise figure (NF) of the amplifier is investigated. Furthermore, we investigate the variations in the gain of the amplifier, its output power, and NF by varying the power and wavelength of the pump source. After optimizing the parameters of the amplifier, the peak gain observed is around 56.5 dB, the 3 dB saturated output power obtained is 33.3 dBm, and the output power is 3 W at signal wavelength of 2.0321 μm for HDF having an optimized length of 12 m and pump power of 3.5 W. Minimum NF of around 8.2 dB is observed at 2.0321 μm for signal power of −5 dBm. The impact of ion-ion interaction on the performance of HDFA is also investigated. A reduction of 24.2 dB and 0.051 W is observed in peak gain and output power of HDFA, respectively by considering the ion-ion interaction. Full article
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15 pages, 6467 KiB  
Article
Fano Resonance Hybrid Waveguide-Coupled Plasmonic Sensor Using Transparent Conductive Oxide in the Near-Infrared Range
by Anum Khattak and Li Wei
Photonics 2022, 9(3), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9030189 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3055
Abstract
We proposed an ultra-sensitive refractive index sensor by using indium-doped cadmium oxide as a plasmonic material operating in near-infrared based on Fano resonance. The proposed sensor has a hybrid multilayer waveguide structure that supports both a long-range surface plasmon polariton (LRSPP) mode and [...] Read more.
We proposed an ultra-sensitive refractive index sensor by using indium-doped cadmium oxide as a plasmonic material operating in near-infrared based on Fano resonance. The proposed sensor has a hybrid multilayer waveguide structure that supports both a long-range surface plasmon polariton (LRSPP) mode and a dielectric waveguide (DWG) mode. The design strategy of the structure parameters of the inner layers is elaborated in detail through the numerical analysis of the two modes. By suitably tailoring the thickness of the coupling layer, a strong mode coupling between the two modes could be achieved, leading to a sharp asymmetric Fano resonance. With the designed optimal physical parameters, our proposed sensor could achieve a maximum intensity sensitivity of 19,909 RIU−1, a 193-fold enhancement than that of a conventional long-range SPR (LRSPR) based scheme. The proposed design can be a promising platform for biochemical sensing in the near-infrared region. Full article
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15 pages, 17763 KiB  
Article
On Directly Modulated Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifier with Assistance of Birefringent Fiber Loop
by Fokion N. Karadimoglou, Kyriakos E. Zoiros, Zoe V. Rizou and Antonios Hatziefremidis
Photonics 2022, 9(3), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9030147 - 2 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2546
Abstract
Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (RSOAs) are essential devices for the development of new generation networks that rely on the convergence of optical and RF communications. Despite their proven potential for direct modulation, RSOAs’ electro-optic response is limited by their finite bandwidth, which hinders [...] Read more.
Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (RSOAs) are essential devices for the development of new generation networks that rely on the convergence of optical and RF communications. Despite their proven potential for direct modulation, RSOAs’ electro-optic response is limited by their finite bandwidth, which hinders their employment both for signal amplification and modulation at the data rates envisioned by the target applications. In this paper, we elaborate on exploiting a Birefringent Fiber Loop (BFL) to enhance the operation of RSOAs as intensity modulators. We apply a mathematically and computationally reduced model to simulate the RSOA response in the time domain, and correlate it with that of the BFL in the frequency domain. We validate the model’s predictions by an extensive comparison of the simulation against experimental results. The reasonable theoretical findings allow us to establish the employed model as an efficient tool for describing electrically driven RSOA operation and its improvement by means of optical notch filtering. Furthermore, we evaluate and quantify the performance of the scheme and the potential range of RSOA direct modulation capability extension enabled by the BFL, which complies with the experimentally observed trends. The outcomes of this thorough study highlight the BFL supportive role in rendering feasible RSOAs’ direct modulation at data rates beyond those deemed possible by their nominal modulation bandwidth. Full article
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11 pages, 4216 KiB  
Article
Compact Gas Sensor Using Silicon-on-Insulator Loop-Terminated Mach–Zehnder Interferometer
by Raghi S. El Shamy, Mohamed A. Swillam, Mohamed M. ElRayany, Alaa Sultan and Xun Li
Photonics 2022, 9(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics9010008 - 27 Dec 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4778
Abstract
In this paper, we propose a compact optical gas sensor based on the widespread silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, operating in the near-infrared (NIR) region around the 1.55 µm wavelength. The sensor employs a loop-terminated Mach–Zehnder interferometer (LT-MZI) with a slot waveguide and a strip [...] Read more.
In this paper, we propose a compact optical gas sensor based on the widespread silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, operating in the near-infrared (NIR) region around the 1.55 µm wavelength. The sensor employs a loop-terminated Mach–Zehnder interferometer (LT-MZI) with a slot waveguide and a strip waveguide for the sensing arm and the reference arm, respectively. For the same arm length, the LT-MZI can achieve a detection limit two times lower than that of the conventional MZI. Different sensor components were designed, and the optimum dimensions were obtained using finite-difference eigenmode (FDE) and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) solvers. With a sensing arm length of only 150 μm, our sensor achieves a device sensitivity of 1070 nm/RIU and a figure-of-merit (FOM) as high as 280.8 RIU−1 at the 1.55 μm wavelength. Higher values of FOM can be attained by employing a longer sensing arm. The whole sensor is subjected to air cladding; thus, there is no need for oxide deposition and a further lithography step for sensing-area patterning. The sensor is well suited for low-cost fabrication and large-scale production. Finally, the same LT-MZI device with strip and slot arms but with oxide cladding was fabricated and characterized. The measurements were in good agreement with the electromagnetic (EM) simulation results, ensuring the reliability of our proposed design. Full article
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13 pages, 1976 KiB  
Article
Performance Analysis of a Multi-Function Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Based Photonic Architecture on SOI Acting as a Frequency Shifter
by Gazi Mahamud Hasan, Mehedi Hasan and Trevor J. Hall
Photonics 2021, 8(12), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8120561 - 9 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3767
Abstract
A photonic frequency shifter based on generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometer (GMZI) architecture is presented and experimentally validated. The circuit consists of four Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZM) in a 4 × 4 network bounded by two 4 × 4 multimode interference couplers and functionally equivalent to [...] Read more.
A photonic frequency shifter based on generalized Mach-Zehnder interferometer (GMZI) architecture is presented and experimentally validated. The circuit consists of four Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZM) in a 4 × 4 network bounded by two 4 × 4 multimode interference couplers and functionally equivalent to two parallel dual-parallel MZM (DP-MZM). The circuit can offer static bias free operation, virtual connectivity control of the components, and spatial separation of up- and down-converted carriers, which can be collected from separate ports without using any optical demultiplexing filters. Thus, the design permits remote heterodyning (advantages which cannot be obtained using a commercial DP-MZM or filter based optical frequency shifter). Experimental investigation shows deviation from ideal performance due to possible fabrication error and poor fiber-chip coupling. A carrier suppression of >20 dB and spurious sideband suppression >12 dB relative to the principal harmonics is achieved without any tuning for bias adjustment. In addition to the frequency conversion, the integration feasible circuit can also perform as a sub-carrier generator, IQ modulator, and frequency multiplier. Full article
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18 pages, 16845 KiB  
Article
Systematic Performance Comparison of (Duobinary)-PAM-2,4 Signaling under Light and Strong Opto-Electronic Bandwidth Conditions
by Ramón Gutiérrez-Castrejón, Md Ghulam Saber, Md Samiul Alam, Zhenping Xing, Eslam El-Fiky, Daniel E. Ceballos-Herrera, Fabio Cavaliere, Gemma Vall-Llosera, Luca Giorgi, Stephane Lessard, Robert Brunner and David V. Plant
Photonics 2021, 8(3), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics8030081 - 18 Mar 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4049
Abstract
We present a systematic comparison of PAM-2 (NRZ), Duobinary-PAM-2, PAM-4, and Duobinary-PAM-4 (duo-quaternary) signaling in the context of short-reach photonic communications systems using a Mach–Zehnder modulator as transmitter. The effect on system performance with a relaxed and constrained system’s opto-electronic bandwidth is analyzed [...] Read more.
We present a systematic comparison of PAM-2 (NRZ), Duobinary-PAM-2, PAM-4, and Duobinary-PAM-4 (duo-quaternary) signaling in the context of short-reach photonic communications systems using a Mach–Zehnder modulator as transmitter. The effect on system performance with a relaxed and constrained system’s opto-electronic bandwidth is analyzed for bit rates ranging from 20 to 116 Gb/s. In contrast to previous analyses, our approach employs the same experimental and simulation conditions for all modulation formats. Consequently, we were able to confidently determine the performance limits of each format for particular values of bit rate, system bandwidth, transmitter chirp, and fiber dispersion. We demonstrate that Duobinary-PAM-4 is a good signaling choice only for bandwidth-limited systems operating at relatively high speed. Otherwise, PAM-4 represents a more sensible choice. Moreover, our analysis put forward the existence of transition points: specific bit rate values where the BER versus bit rate curves for two different formats cross each other. They indicate the bit rate values where, for specific system conditions, switching from one modulation to another guarantees optimum performance. Their existence naturally led to the proposal of a format-selective transceiver, a component that, according to network conditions, operates with the most adequate modulation format. Since all analyzed modulations share similar implementation details, signaling switching is achieved by simply changing the sampling point and threshold count at the receiver, bringing flexibility to IM/DD-based optical networks. Full article
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