Performance analysis of a multi - function photonic architecture on SOI acting as a frequency shifter

A multi-functional photonic circuit implemented on silicon on insulator (SOI) platform is reported. Eight phase modulators are connected to provide four Mach-Zehnder interferometer structure in parallel. Multimode interference couplers are used as the splitter/combiner of the MZI structures to provide static DC bias. This architecture generates two principle spatially separated 1^st order harmonics from a single light source, which may be collected from separate ports without using any optical demultiplexing filters which permits remote heterodyning. A carrier suppression of >20 dB and spurious sideband suppression > 12 dB relative to the principle harmonics is achieved with bias voltage tuning only. In addition to the frequency conversion, the circuit can also perform as a sub-carrier generator, IQ modulator and frequency multiplier.