Design and Simulation of a silicon electro-optic microring switch with a graphene modulating layer

¹ Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, DIIES Dept., 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
² Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI-CNR), Via P. Castellino n. 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
³ Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DIETI), University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Napoli, Italy
⁴ Open Fiber S.p.A., Via Laurentina 449, 00142 Roma, Italy

^* Corresponding author: babak.hashemi@unirc.it

Published online: 31 October 2024

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive simulation study on the design and simulation of an electro-optic ring switch utilizing graphene material. The switch employs the electrically Tunable Refractive Index by graphene to modulate the transmission characteristics within a ring resonator structure. By applying an electrical voltage ranging from -6 to -10V, significant changes are noticed in the output ports' transmission characteristics. In particular, the transmission through the output ports varies between 81% to 18% for output port n.1 and 21% to 83%for output port no.2, proving that signal propagation can be effectively controlled and manipulated. In addition to demonstrating the electro-absorption capabilities of graphene, this study explores the complex mechanics involved in the switching process. The relationship between the applied voltage and the optical characteristics of graphene is clarified by thorough simulations, providing insight into the switch's dynamic behavior. Furthermore, the efficiency, response time, and Electrical bandwidth of the device are discussed, offering a glimpse into its possible use in photonic integrated circuits and telecommunications. Overall, this study not only unveils the promising prospects of graphene-based electro-optic ring switches but also contributes to advancing the understanding of novel materials for next-generation photonic devices.