View article

Effective optical processing of information in the integrated photonic circuits requires strong light confinement and guiding of light at the micronanoscale using waveguide structures, as well as techniques to control its propagation. Optical confinement is stronger for a guiding medium with a high refractive index and complex optical information processing is possible if this refractive index can be manipulated efficiently using multiple techniques. Refractive index manipulation is possible through various methods such as electro-optic, thermo-optic, magneto-optic and acousto-optic modulation. Acousto-optic modulation technique uses strain induced by the acoustic wave to change the refractive index of the optical wave propagation medium. Such modulators have successfully been demonstrated on material platforms such as aluminum nitride, gallium arsenide and lithium niobate. Despite having some of the highest …