Ultracompact optical pulse measurement devices using silicon photonics

Abstract

In this article, we describe the development of an unprecedented ultracompact optical pulse measurement device. The device was fabricated using silicon photonics technology, and integrated on a millimeter-scale chip. We fabricated an on-chip optical correlator consisting of a waveguide-type-photodetector array, and demonstrated the measurement of correlation waveforms of picosecond pulses. Furthermore, using the on-chip optical correlator and a tunable filter, we demonstrated the measurement of complex amplitude waveforms of optical pulses using a short-pulse measurement method called the sonogram method. We expect that our study will lead to the development of a user-friendly optical pulse measurement device that can be used outside of laboratories.