Monolithic waveguide-based smart pixel operating at 120 Mb/s

We report on the dynamic operation characteristics of a novel monolithic waveguide-based smart pixel. In this smart pixel, two surface-normal optical input beams control an optical output beam propagating in-plane through a waveguide modulator. For the operation, only DC biases of about 5 V are required. We achieve a bit rate in excess of 120 Mb/s and an optical gain of 4.1 with devices of relatively large area. To obtain these figures-of-merit an optical input energy of 1.4 pJ (corresponding to 1.55 fJ/μm
²
) is required. The output contrast ratio is as great as 11.8 dB.