Optical isolation by temporal modulation: size, frequency, and power constraints

Abstract

Optical isolators are indispensable components of optical networks. Magneto-optic isolators have excellent operating characteristics, including low-to-no power consumption, but are not well suited for on-chip integration. The technique of temporal modulation of dielectric constant offers an alternative way to achieve isolation without magnetic field but is not without its own drawbacks. In this work I examine diverse methods of optical isolation via temporal modulation and show that independent on whether modulation is achieved by carrier injection, Pockels and acousto-optic effects, or any other conceivable method, there is essentially the same set of constraints on footprint, modulation frequency, and, most important, on power consumption required to achieve full isolation without excessive insertion loss. This power is estimated to be on the order of at least a hundred of milliwatts and whether this requirement is acceptable will depend on ongoing progress of both magneto-optic and time modulated integrated technologies.

References in corpus (6)

• Photonics of Time-Varying Media
• Nonreciprocity and magnetic-free isolation based on optomechanical interactions
• A BaTiO3-Based Electro-Optic Pockels Modulator Monolithically Integrated on an Advanced Silicon Photonics Platform
• Magnetic-Free Silicon Nitride Integrated Optical Isolator
• $\hslash \omega$ versus $\hslash \mathbf{k}$: Dispersion and Energy Constraints on Time-Varying Photonic Materials and Time Crystals
• Mirror symmetric on-chip frequency circulation of light

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Plasmon Fizeau drag in 3D Dirac and Weyl semimetals