Optical waveguide system comprising a rare-earth Si-based optical device
First Claim
1. An article or system comprising a device that comprises optical waveguide means adapted for guiding signal radiation of wavelength λ
-
s, said waveguide means comprising material that contains a rare earth (RE) element selected from the group consisting of erbium (Er), praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd), the device further comprising means for causing at least some of the RE in the waveguide means to undergo an electronic transition to an excited electronic state that is associated with luminescence;
characterized in thata) the waveguide means are planar waveguide means comprising a core region comprising semiconductor material selected from the group consisting of Si and SiGe alloy; and
b) the core region further comprises at least one member of the group of elements consisting of C, N, and F, said member to be referred-to as a the "co-dopant", such that the luminescence associated with the waveguide means is substantially higher than the luminescence associated with otherwise identical comparison waveguide means that do not contain the co-dopant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
It has been discovered that co-doping of Er-doped Si with a light element such as C, N or F can result in substantially increased Er luminescence. A further increase in luminescence can result if, in addition, oxygen is present in the Si. Apparatus or systems according to the invention comprise a device (e.g., laser, optical ampifier, LED) that comprises a planar waveguide whose core region contains, in addition to at least 90 atomic % Si or SiGe alloy, Er, Pr and/or Nd, and further contains C, N and/or F, and preferably also contains oxygen. Currently preferred apparatus or systems according to the invention comprise means for electrically pumping the waveguide means.
109 Citations
10 Claims
-
1. An article or system comprising a device that comprises optical waveguide means adapted for guiding signal radiation of wavelength λ
-
s, said waveguide means comprising material that contains a rare earth (RE) element selected from the group consisting of erbium (Er), praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd), the device further comprising means for causing at least some of the RE in the waveguide means to undergo an electronic transition to an excited electronic state that is associated with luminescence;
characterized in that a) the waveguide means are planar waveguide means comprising a core region comprising semiconductor material selected from the group consisting of Si and SiGe alloy; and b) the core region further comprises at least one member of the group of elements consisting of C, N, and F, said member to be referred-to as a the "co-dopant", such that the luminescence associated with the waveguide means is substantially higher than the luminescence associated with otherwise identical comparison waveguide means that do not contain the co-dopant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
s, said waveguide means comprising material that contains a rare earth (RE) element selected from the group consisting of erbium (Er), praseodymium (Pr) and neodymium (Nd), the device further comprising means for causing at least some of the RE in the waveguide means to undergo an electronic transition to an excited electronic state that is associated with luminescence;
Specification