Edwin Jan Klein - Universiteit Twente

Figure 1.5. The technological scope of the NAIS project.
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Introduction
All functions on chip are implemented in a scalable manner so that additional optical
channels can easily be integrated, eventually allowing hundreds of channels per chip.
The high levels of integration required for such devices can be obtained through the
use of microring resonators which are able to perform a wide range of optical
functions at typical dimensions less than 100 µm. Through the combination of
microring resonators with novel polymers that exhibit large electro-optic effects,
active components, such as high speed modulators, can be created.
A new generation integrated optic subsystem is thus developed that, through dense
integration and novel materials, allows large-scale manufacturability and can
potentially lead to low-cost WDM-ONUs.
Within the NAIS project research groups and companies are joined together to
perform a chain of activities that include the study and development of novel electrooptic
and high index passive materials, the development and application of design
tools, and the design and technological realization of micro-resonator based devices.
The NAIS related work presented in this thesis focuses on this last activity with the
design, implementation and characterization of tunable microring resonator based
filters and switches.
1.4.2 Broadband Photonics
The Broadband Photonics Project [14] develops reconfigurable access networks for
providing the user with congestion-free access and abundant exchange of abundant
amounts of information.
By enabling the network operator to easily and remotely reconfigure his access
network, the capacity distribution across the users can timely be adapted to his
varying service demands. Optical fiber carrying multiple wavelength channels
(WDM) is chosen for the broadband flexible network infrastructure. The project puts
emphasis on low cost, which is a crucial factor for success in the access market.
Therefore reconfigurable access network architectures and access network modules
are being investigated. Compact low-power photonic integrated circuits and
intelligent network reconfiguration mechanisms are key research items in the project.
A concept of the network is shown in Figure 1.6.