Beggs, Daryl M.White, ThomasKampfrath, TobiasKuipers, L. (Kobus)Krauss, Thomas F.2015-12-13January 249780819480026http://hdl.handle.net/1885/83982We discuss the performance of slow-light enhanced optical switches and modulators fabricated in silicon. The switch is based on photonic crystal waveguides in a directional coupler geometry, and the dispersion of the device is engineered to allow a switching length as short as 5 μm and rerouting of optical signals within 3 ps. The 3 ps switching time is demonstrated using free carriers in the silicon generated by the absorption of a femtosecond pump pulse. The modulator is based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer configuration, with photonic crystal waveguides in each arm to act as phase-shifters. A flat-band slow-light region has been engineered in the phase-shifters to provide an extinction ratio in excess of 15 dB over the entire 11 nm bandwidth of the modulator device.Keywords: Extinction ratios; Femtosecond pump pulse; Flat band; Free carriers; Optical; Optical signals; Photonic crystal waveguide; Switching time; Directional couplers; Interferometers; Laser optics; Modulation; Optical switches; Optical waveguides; Phase shift; Directional coupler; Interferometer; Modulator; Optical; Photonic crystal; Silicon; Slow-light; Switch201010.1117/12.8409482016-02-24