Ultra-wideband MHz to THz plasmonic EO modulator
Yannik Horst, David Moor, Daniel Chelladurai, Tobias Blatter, Sónia Fernandes, Laurenz Kulmer, Michael Baumann, Hande İbili, Christian Funck, Killian Keller, Marcel Destraz, Wolfgang Heni, Loïc Chérix, Yuqi Liu, Hua Wang, Stefan M. Koepfli, Juerg Leuthold
Abstract
Electromagnetic fields at terahertz frequencies open a window to multiple applications, such as wireless communication, sensing, and medical imaging. Yet the challenge remains to efficiently generate, receive and process such high frequencies. In this work, we investigate plasmonic modulators to bring THz frequencies to photonic integrated circuits (PICs). We demonstrate a frequency response beyond the 1 THz and develop an equivalent circuit model of the modulator. Our results show that plasmonic modulators are uniquely suited for THz PICs.