Lightwave Logic, Polariton Technologies claim record modulator performance at ECOC 2021
Lightwave Logic, Inc. (NASDAQ: LWLG), which is developing electro-optic (EO) polymers for optical communications applications (see, for example, "Lightwave Logic touts new thermal design for polymer-based modulators"), used this week’s ECOC 2021 in Bordeaux, France, to tout a high-speed modulator demonstration with ETH Zurich. As described in a post-deadline paper at the event today, ETH Zurich leveraged Lightwave Logic’s Perkinamine chromophores in a silicon-photonics-based plasmonic racetrack modulator developed by Polariton Technologies Ltd. (a spinoff of ETH Zurich). The racetrack modulator demonstrated energy-efficient, low-loss, and high-speed modulation in a compact footprint, according to the paper.
The collaborators report that Polariton's plasmonic modulator transmitted 220-Gbps OOK and 408-Gbps 8PAM signals over 100 m. The modulator used a low-voltage electrical drive of 0.6 Vp and demonstrated on-chip loss of 1 dB as well as an optical 3-dB bandwidth of beyond 110 GHz. The results represent a record for polymer-based modulators, the papers authors assert.
"Our mission at Lightwave Logic is to continually push the frontiers of high-speed performance for electro-optic polymers, shaping the 'impossible' into reality and a new normal for the industry," commented Dr. Michael Lebby, CEO of Lightwave Logic. "Through our collaboration with Polariton, we have achieved a new world-record for a racetrack plasmonic modulator device structure. The acceptance of a post-deadline peer-reviewed paper at ECOC 2021 provides third-party validation of this incredible result.
"We now turn our attention to further optimizing this performance with silicon foundries through both materials and optical device design. With performance achievements such as this, we believe that many companies will quickly see the potential impact that high-performance optical switching devices using our polymers can have on their business," concluded Lebby.
"Polariton has always been dedicated to providing best-in-class devices with the highest-performance. Our goal is to make optical communications faster, the technology more scalable and with it, components and infrastructure more energy-efficient,” added Dr. Wolfgang Heni, co-CTO at Polariton. “Our recent demonstration of a plasmonic racetrack modulator once again showcased how the unique combination of plasmonics, silicon photonics, and organic electro-optics offers high-speed and energy-efficient components. We are pleased to have worked with Lightwave Logic, providing us with high-performance and reliable Perkinamine chromophores to demonstrate this new world record, further highlighting the benefits of our plasmonic modulator technology. Together, we hope to revolutionize the future of the internet through adoption of next-generation electro-optic polymer platforms."
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.