Electrical tuning and switching of an optical frequency comb generated in aluminum nitride microring resonators

Aluminum nitride (AlN) has been shown to possess both strong Kerr nonlinearity and electro-optic Pockels effect. By combining these two effects, here we demonstrate on-chip reversible on/off switching of the optical frequency comb generated by an AlN microring resonator. We optimize the design of gating electrodes and the underneath resonator structure to effectively apply an electric field without increasing the optical loss. The switching of the comb is monitored by measuring one of the frequency comb peaks while varying the electric field. The controlled comb electro-optic response is investigated for direct comparison with the transient thermal effect. © 2013 Optical Society of America.