Characterization of optical bi-stability in active silicon microring resonators for all-optical switching

In this work, we experimentally study the optical bistability (BI) behavior in active silicon microring resonators (MRR). A stable hysteresis loop response at the output port is demonstrated at a power level higher than the BI threshold, taking into account the different detuning and free carrier lifetimes. That hysteresis is observed at low and high BI thresholds, which can be used for all-optical switching and optical routers. The MRR is placed inside a reverse-biased PIN junction and fabricated by CMOS technology. It records a loaded Q-factor, linewidth (3 dB width of the spectrum), and extinction ratio (ER) around 10(5), 15.3 pm, and 20 dB, respectively.