Binary phase-shift keying by coupling modulation of microrings

We propose a coupling-modulated microring in an add-drop configuration for binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), where data is encoded as 0 and radian phase-shifts on the optical carrier. The device uses the radian phase-flip across the zero coupling point in a 2×2 Mach-Zehnder interferometer coupler to produce the modulation. The coupling-modulated microring combines the drive power reduction of resonant modulators with the digital phase response of Mach-Zehnder BPSK modulators. A proof-of-concept device was demonstrated in silicon-on-insulator, showing differential binary phase-shift keying operation at 5 and 10 Gb/s. © 2014 Optical Society of America.