Nonlinear Distortion in a Silicon Microring-Based Electro-Optic Modulator for Analog Optical Links

摘要

We analyze silicon microring modulators for analog signal generation, in terms of harmonic and intermodulation distortions. Free carrier plasma dispersion effect in silicon, Lorentzian-shaped resonance profile, and cavity photon lifetime are identified as the sources of modulation nonlinearity. Simulations show that the silicon microring modulators exhibit good modulation index and carrier-to-distortion ratio (CDR). For the generation of 10-GHz suboctave analog signals, a high optical-modulation-index of up to 46%, a CDR of 57 dB, and a spurious free dynamic range of 96 dB can be obtained. In fiber transmission, the microring-generated signal CDR can be improved by 10 dB due to the interaction between frequency chirp and chromatic dispersion.