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arXiv · 1510.08495

Large Brillouin Amplification in Silicon

Eric A. Kittlaus·Heedeuk Shin·Peter T. Rakich
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Abstract

Strong Brillouin coupling has only recently been realized in silicon using a new class of optomechanical waveguides that yield both optical and phononic confinement. Despite these major advances, appreciable Brillouin amplification has yet to be observed in silicon. Using a new membrane-suspended silicon waveguide we report large Brillouin amplification for the first time, reaching levels greater than 5 dB for modest pump powers, and demonstrate a record low (5 mW) threshold for net amplification. This work represents a crucial advance necessary to realize high-performance Brillouin lasers and amplifiers in silicon.

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Eric A. Kittlaus, Heedeuk Shin, Peter T. Rakich. 2015-10-28. Large Brillouin Amplification in Silicon. https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2016.112

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