MODetector (MOD): A Dual-Functional Optical Modulator-Detector for On-Chip Communication

TL;DR

The paper introduces MODetector, a novel integrated photonic-plasmonic device that combines modulation and detection functions to improve on-chip optical communication efficiency and enable advanced routing strategies.

Contribution

It presents a dual-functional broadband device that eliminates OEO conversion, reduces optical losses, and supports cognitive routing in photonic network-on-chip systems.

Findings

Over 10 dB extinction ratio and 0.8 dB insertion loss in modulation

0.7 W/A responsivity and 36 ps response time in detection

Enables optical transceiver functionalities with reduced overhead

Abstract

Physical challenges at the device and interconnect level limit both network and computing energy efficiency. While photonics is being considered to address interconnect bottlenecks, optical routing is still limited by electronic circuitry, requiring substantial overhead for optical-electrical-optical conversion. Here we show a novel design of an integrated broadband photonic-plasmonic hybrid device termed MODetector featuring dual light modulation and detection function to act as an optical transceiver in the photonic network-on-chip. With over 10 dB extinction ratio and 0.8 dB insertion loss at the modulation state, this MODetector provides 0.7 W/A responsivity in the detection state with 36 ps response time. This multi-functional device: (i) eliminates OEO conversion, (ii) reduces optical losses from photodetectors when not needed, and (iii) enables cognitive routing strategies for network-on-chips.