Silicon photonics is considered to be the leading platform to achieve faster data transfer speeds on-chip. However, the weak electro-optic coefficient of silicon limits the maximum achievable data rates. A hybrid solution consisting of a silicon photonic backbone and an incorporated optical phase change material (O-PCM) that provides improved optical functionality may provide the solution for realizing broadband, low power, small footprint on-chip photonic devices capable of achieving record modulation speed. In this presentation, we discuss theoretical and experimental work integrating O-PCMs in silicon photonic devices, including sub-picosecond optical switching using a hybrid silicon-vanadium dioxide waveguide.
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