Challenges in silicon photonics modulators for data center interconnect applications

The exponential demand for bandwidth in data centers is on high alert with the increase in data traffic. In this scenario, the design of optical modulators is crucial for the continuous evolution of communication systems. For data center interconnect (DCI) applications, this mean that modulators should offer high bandwidth and low optical loss. In addition, devices must operate with low power consumption and be compatible with complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) processes for low-cost and large-scale manufacturing. These facts show the importance of advancement in Silicon (Si) modulators solutions, since they have the potential to fulfill all these requirements. However, designing a device that meets all these requirements at the same time is still challenging, because there are several trade-offs problems involved for which different Silicon modulators types are not yet able to solve. In this context, this paper reviews the challenges in Silicon photonics (SiPh) modulators for data center interconnect applications.