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Scalable photonic-phonoinc integrated circuitry for reconfigurable signal processing

Author

Listed:
  • Liang Zhang

    (The University of Texas at Austin
    The University of Arizona)

  • Chaohan Cui

    (The University of Arizona)

  • Yongzhou Xue

    (The University of Arizona)

  • Paokang Chen

    (The University of Texas at Austin
    The University of Arizona)

  • Linran Fan

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

Abstract

The interaction between photons and phonons plays a crucial role in broad areas ranging from optical sources and modulators to quantum transduction and metrology. The performance can be further improved using integrated photonic-phononic devices, promising enhanced interaction strength and large-scale integration. While the enhanced interaction has been widely demonstrated, it is challenging to realize large-scale integrated photonic-phononic circuits due to material limitations. Here, we resolve this critical issue by using gallium nitride on sapphire for scalable photonic-phononic integrated circuits. Both optical and acoustic fields are confined in sub-wavelength scales without suspended structures. This enables us to achieve the efficient launching, flexible routing, and reconfigruable processing of optical and acoustic fields simultaneously. With the controlled photonic-phononic interaction and strong piezoelectric effect, we further demonstrate the reconfigurable conversion between frequency-multiplexed RF and optical signals mediated by acoustics. This work provides an ideal platform for achieving ultimate performance of photonic-phononic hybrid systems with high efficiency, multiple functions, and large scalability.

Suggested Citation

  • Liang Zhang & Chaohan Cui & Yongzhou Xue & Paokang Chen & Linran Fan, 2025. "Scalable photonic-phonoinc integrated circuitry for reconfigurable signal processing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-6, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57922-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57922-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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