Silicon Photonic Switch Fabrics: Technology and Architecture
Abstract
We present that photonic switching technologies show potential for transforming communication networks across diverse markets from long-haul to short-reach distance scales due to their large bandwidth density, high energy efficiency, and potential for low cost. In recent years, numerous outstanding advancements have been made in scaled silicon photonic switching fabrics: spanning a variety of manufacturing platforms and packaging methods, relying on different switching mechanisms, and assembled on-chip in a diverse mixture of loosely related architectures. This work reviews the current approaches employed by leading researchers in this area, and surveys the state of the art in achieved performance at both the technological and the architectural level. Specifically, we consider thermo-optic, electrooptic, and MEMS-based switch actuation embedded in Mach Zehnder interferometer, ring resonator, and directional coupler based silicon photonic switches. We define common metrics and compare performances. We outline critical requirements for constructing scaled switch fabrics from elementary cells. Lastly, we investigate similarities and differences between a number of commonly utilized topologies. And, we survey recent accomplishments in scaled switch fabrics at the chip and package level. Moving these demonstrations from research to product will require many further advancements, and we highlight areas that we believe will be critical for marketmore »
- Authors:
-
- IBM, Yorktown Heights, NY (United States). Thomas J. Watson Research Center
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- IBM, Yorktown Heights, NY (United States). Thomas J. Watson Research Center
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1478251
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AR0000844
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Lightwave Technology
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 37; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0733-8724
- Publisher:
- IEEE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING; photonic switches; photonic integrated circuits
Citation Formats
Lee, Benjamin G., and Dupuis, Nicolas. Silicon Photonic Switch Fabrics: Technology and Architecture. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1109/JLT.2018.2876828.
Lee, Benjamin G., & Dupuis, Nicolas. Silicon Photonic Switch Fabrics: Technology and Architecture. United States. doi:https://doi.org/10.1109/JLT.2018.2876828
Lee, Benjamin G., and Dupuis, Nicolas. Thu .
"Silicon Photonic Switch Fabrics: Technology and Architecture". United States. doi:https://doi.org/10.1109/JLT.2018.2876828. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1478251.
@article{osti_1478251,
title = {Silicon Photonic Switch Fabrics: Technology and Architecture},
author = {Lee, Benjamin G. and Dupuis, Nicolas},
abstractNote = {We present that photonic switching technologies show potential for transforming communication networks across diverse markets from long-haul to short-reach distance scales due to their large bandwidth density, high energy efficiency, and potential for low cost. In recent years, numerous outstanding advancements have been made in scaled silicon photonic switching fabrics: spanning a variety of manufacturing platforms and packaging methods, relying on different switching mechanisms, and assembled on-chip in a diverse mixture of loosely related architectures. This work reviews the current approaches employed by leading researchers in this area, and surveys the state of the art in achieved performance at both the technological and the architectural level. Specifically, we consider thermo-optic, electrooptic, and MEMS-based switch actuation embedded in Mach Zehnder interferometer, ring resonator, and directional coupler based silicon photonic switches. We define common metrics and compare performances. We outline critical requirements for constructing scaled switch fabrics from elementary cells. Lastly, we investigate similarities and differences between a number of commonly utilized topologies. And, we survey recent accomplishments in scaled switch fabrics at the chip and package level. Moving these demonstrations from research to product will require many further advancements, and we highlight areas that we believe will be critical for market adoption.},
doi = {10.1109/JLT.2018.2876828},
journal = {Journal of Lightwave Technology},
number = 1,
volume = 37,
place = {United States},
year = {2018},
month = {10}
}
Web of Science
Figures / Tables:

Works referencing / citing this record:
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Figures / Tables found in this record: