Periodically-Poled Silicon [Updated]

TL;DR

This paper introduces periodically-poled silicon (PePSi), a novel photonic device enabling second-order nonlinearity and quasi-phase matching in silicon, with potential for efficient mid-infrared generation and dynamic control.

Contribution

It presents the concept and simulation results of PePSi, combining silicon's manufacturing advantages with second-order nonlinear effects for advanced photonic applications.

Findings

50% conversion efficiency in mid-infrared generation

Demonstrates feasibility of second-order nonlinearity in silicon

Potential for dynamic control using piezoelectric materials

Abstract

We propose a new class of photonic devices based on periodic stress fields in silicon that enable second-order nonlinearity as well as quasi-phase matching. Periodically-poled silicon (PePSi) adds the periodic poling capability to silicon photonics, and allows the excellent crystal quality and advanced manufacturing capabilities of silicon to be harnessed for devices based on second-order nonlinear effects. As an example of the utility of the PePSi technology, we present simulations showing that mid-wave infrared radiation can be efficiently generated through difference frequency generation from near-infrared with a conversion efficiency of 50%. This technology can also be implemented with piezoelectric material, which offers the capability to dynamically control the X(2) nonlinearity.