Integrated multi-port, multi-wavelength coherent optical source for beyond Tb/s optical links

Published

July 10, 2025

Author(s)

Ali Pirmoradi, Jizhao Zang, Kaisarbek Omirzakhov, Zhehao Yu, Yan Jin, Scott Papp, Firooz Aflatouni

Abstract

Multi-wavelength, multi-port light sources formed with a Kerr-soliton microcomb and a wavelength demultiplexer are a key part of optical links utilizing wavelength-division multiplexing. Critical and emerging technologies such as data-center connectivity, AI systems, and long-haul communication depend on optical links with very high capacity. Microcomb-based source systems with a high comb generation efficiency and a flat spectral response that matches that of an ultra-low power integrated demultiplexer capable of locks to and tracks the frequency of the comb lines can play a key role in large scale data links. Here, we demonstrate a multi-wavelength, multi-port source formed by use of a Kerr microcomb followed by a monolithically integrated demultiplexer, which performs autonomous locking and tracking of the comb lines. Mach-Zehnder interferometer- and ring resonator-based wavelength demultiplexers, implemented using capacitive optical phase shifters with zero static power consumption, and a soliton microcomb, with a 200 GHz mode spacing and 53% efficiency are implemented. Using a single 2.4 mW control unit for all phase shifters in a sequential control scheme, corresponds to a record demultiplexer energy consumption of 10fJ/b for an 8-channel system at a data-rate of 32Gb/s/channel, which is reduced to 2.5 fJ/b if the system is scaled to a 32-channels system at 32 Gb/s/channel, improving the energy efficiency by more than an order of magnitude compared to the state-of-the-art WDM systems with thermal tuning control.

Citation

Nature Communications

Volume

16

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61288-x

Local Download

Citation

Pirmoradi, A. , Zang, J. , Omirzakhov, K. , Yu, Z. , Jin, Y. , Papp, S. and Aflatouni, F. (2025), Integrated multi-port, multi-wavelength coherent optical source for beyond Tb/s optical links, Nature Communications, [online], https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61288-x, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=958426 (Accessed October 8, 2025)