A novel multilayer micro-ring resonator based optical network on chip

International audienceThe next generation of multiprocessor systems on chip requires development and improvement of innovative implementations of optical networks on chip (ONoC). ONoC efficiency mostly relies on crosstalk between waveguides and on optical power loss. Taking into account new integration capabilities in order to achieve the best design compromise minimizing power loss and crosstalk is thus mandatory. In this paper, we propose a novel switch implementation based upon a multi-layer microring resonator, allowing efficient light coupling and switching between superposed waveguides. Such microring resonator avoids waveguide crossing, thus contributing to reduce propagation losses. A transmission loss from -4.8 to -7 dB, crosstalk between -17 and -29 dB, a quality factor about 202 allowing a bandwidth up to 1THz, are demonstrated with a 1.65 µm radius microring. Furthermore, this paper demonstrates that pure curvature loss remains less than -0.4 dB for microring radii less than 2µm thus allowing miniaturization of switch size