Table 1 Common linear bulk-optics elements and their integrated-optics counterparts
From: Silicon nanophotonics for scalable quantum coherent feedback networks
Bulk optics | Integrated optics | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Beam splitter | Directional coupler | The transmissivity tuned by proximity of waveguides. |
Cavity | Microring resonator, whispering gallery mode resonator | The dimensions of integrated optics cavities are typically in the micrometers, allowing for very large (GHz) cavity bandwidths. Photon build-up and dissipation times are accordingly shortened, allowing for GHz switching. Furthermore, due to the reduced mode volume, integrated optics has great potential to demonstrate strongly coupled cavity quantum electrodynamics [29]. |
Mirror | Distributed Bragg mirror | The reflectivity tuned through modulation depth and/or number of Bragg periods. |
Phase shifter/modulator | Phase modulation by thermo-optic effect, or carrier injection/depletion | Carrier density manipulation achieves much greater frequency of phase modulation compared to the thermo-optic effect. |
Amplitude modulator | Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) through phase modulators | The amplitude of the MZI output field is controlled by varying the phase shift in one arm of the MZI. |