Integrated optical switches based on Kerr symmetry breaking in microresonators

Zhang Y, Zhang S, Ghosh A, Pal A, Ghalanos GN, Bi T, Yan H, Zhang H, Zhuang Y, Hill L, Del’Haye P (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Photonics Research Optical Society of America

Book Volume: 13

Pages Range: 360-366

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1364/PRJ.542111

Abstract

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things and big data, integrated optical switches are gaining prominence for applications in on-chip optical computing, optical memories, and optical communications. Here, we propose a novel approach for on-chip optical switches by utilizing the nonlinear optical Kerr effect induced spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB), which leads to two distinct states of counterpropagating light in ring resonators. This technique is based on our first experimental observation of on-chip symmetry breaking in a high-Q (9.4 × 106) silicon nitride resonator with a measured SSB threshold power of approximately 3.9 mW. We further explore the influence of varying pump powers and frequency detunings on the performance of SSB-induced optical switches. Our work provides insights into the development of new types of photonic data processing devices and provides an innovative approach for the future implementation of on-chip optical memories.

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE) Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) CN China (CN)

How to cite

APA:

Zhang, Y., Zhang, S., Ghosh, A., Pal, A., Ghalanos, G.N., Bi, T.,... Del’Haye, P. (2025). Integrated optical switches based on Kerr symmetry breaking in microresonators. Photonics Research, 13(2), 360-366. https://doi.org/10.1364/PRJ.542111

MLA:

Zhang, Yaojing, et al. "Integrated optical switches based on Kerr symmetry breaking in microresonators." Photonics Research 13.2 (2025): 360-366.

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