Silicon Nanophotonic Integrated Devices for On-Chip Multiplexing and Switching

A review is given on our recent progresses in silicon nanophotonic integrated devices for multiplexing and switching, which are key elements in a multichannel multiplexed photonic networks-on-chip. On-chip (de)multiplexers include wavelength-division-multiplexing filters based on arrayed-waveguide gratings and microring resonators, polarization-division-multiplexing devices like polarizers, polarization-beam splitters and polarization rotators, mode-division-multiplexing devices, and some novel hybrid (de)multiplexers enabling more than one multiplexing technologies simultaneously. Thermal-switchable silicon photonic devices are also discussed regarding the increasing demands for reconfigurable photonic networks-on-chip, including high-performance optical switches and reconfigurable add-drop multiplexers.