Fabless Silicon Photonics (2)

A complex-valued refractive index includes two parts: real and imaginary parts. The real part stands for refractive, while the imaginary one handles the attenuation.

                                         Transparent window of the Silicon (1.2-6.5um) 

n(Si) = 3.5; n (SiO2) = 1.45.

                                                          Low detection capability

Si pros:

• Transparent in 1.3-1.6 um wavelength region
• CMOS compatibility
• Low cost
• High index -> small device footprint

Cons:

• No electro-optical effect: inefficient modulation
• Low absorption in 1.3-1.6 um region: no detection
• High index: bad for efficient coupling
• Indirect bandgap: inefficient light emission