Silicon-carbide modulator overcomes decades long ’missing block’

A collaboration with Harvard University has led to the development of a new-generation electro-optic modulator that could stamp out its bulky predecessor through the creation of a smaller, stronger, cooler, faster and cost-effective on-chip system. The new modulator was made possible through the harnessing of a 'difficult' compound - silicon carbide. Silicon carbide was first recognised as a photonics wonder material more than three decades ago when it was found to display the 'Pockels effect' - a light polarising technique used in electrical engineering. Despite silicon carbide's exceptional durability in demanding electrical, mechanical and radiation environments, its use in photonics has been limited. The researchers believe their technique, which was described in Nature Communications , will advance quantum communications and microwave photonics by facilitating photonic integration; the co-integration with traditional electronics and quantum emitters. Lead researcher from the University of Sydney's School of Electrical and Information Engineering Professor Xiaoke Yi said: "The use of silicon carbide will potentially open up a new chapter of opportunities in photonics for various applications including quantum computing." Electro-optic modulators encode electrical signals onto an optical carrier. They are essential for the operation of global communication systems and data centres used in a range of applications and industry settings such as artificial intelligence (AI), broadband networks, and high-performance computing.  "Modulators that use the Pockels effect enable low loss, ultrafast and wide-bandwidth data transmission.