Study of an integrated-optical slow-light ring-resonator for sensing applications

In this work, we present a theoretically study on slow-light in ring-resonator circuits and discuss quantitatively its role in enhancing the sensor performance. The model is based on the transfer matrix method and the complex transmission coefficient approach, by assuming a homogeneous refractometric IO sensor with MZI read-out scheme. The modeling results show that using realistic structure parameters and a typical read-out capability, a refractive index detection limit of one order better than the present state of the art IO MZI sensing structure can be expected by the inclusion of such a slow-light structure. The realization of such device is under progress at the moment of the preparation of this abstract. The device will be based on Si3N4 IO technologies with a serrodyne phase readout scheme employing a ZnO electro-optical modulator. The latest results of the realization and experimental progress will be reported in the conference as well.