Design and Performance Analysis of Silicon Photonic Waveguides for High-Speed Optical Communication

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This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2025 | Volume : 3 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Sonali Gawali,

  • Shravani Chavan,

  • Sakshi Bhaganagare,

  • Vaibhav Godase,

  1. Sonali Gawali, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, SKN Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India
  2. Student, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, SKN Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India
  3. Student, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, SKN Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, SKN Sinhgad College of Engineering, Pandharpur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

The exponential growth of data traffic in data centers and high-performance computing systems necessitates a paradigm shift from conventional electrical interconnects to high- speed, low-power on-chip optical interconnects. Silicon Photonics (SiP) is the leading platform for this transition due to its compatibility with CMOS manufacturing and the high- index contrast between silicon (Si) and silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ). This paper details the design, simulation, and comprehensive performance analysis of a single-mode silicon- on-insulator (SOI) rib waveguide specifically optimized for high-speed optical communication in the O and C bands (1500–1600 nm)[1-5]. The primary objective is to minimize propagation loss (α) and chromatic dispersion (D) while maintaining strong optical confinement. Finite-Difference Eigenmode (FDE) and Beam Propagation Method (BPM) simulations were employed to analyze key metrics: effective refractive index (n eff ), confinement factor, propagation loss, and Group Velocity Dispersion (GVD). The optimized rib waveguide, featuring a Si core height of 220 nm, width of 450 nm, and an etch depth of 120 nm, exhibits a simulated propagation loss as low as 0.22 dB/cm and a dispersion value of |D| < 100 ps/nm/km near 1550 nm. A high-speed performance evaluation using a 100 Gbps Non-Return-to-Zero (NRZ) signal confirms excellent signal integrity, demonstrated by a clear, wide-open eye diagram (Q-factor ¿ 6.5). The results establish the designed SOI rib waveguide as a highly viable, low- power solution for next-generation, terabit-scale photonic integrated circuits.

Keywords: Silicon Photonics, Optical Waveguides, Rib Waveguide, Propagation Loss, Group Velocity Dispersion (GVD), Optical Interconnects, High-Speed Communication, CMOS Photonics.

How to cite this article:
Sonali Gawali, Shravani Chavan, Sakshi Bhaganagare, Vaibhav Godase. Design and Performance Analysis of Silicon Photonic Waveguides for High-Speed Optical Communication. International Journal of Optical Innovations & Research. 2025; 03(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Sonali Gawali, Shravani Chavan, Sakshi Bhaganagare, Vaibhav Godase. Design and Performance Analysis of Silicon Photonic Waveguides for High-Speed Optical Communication. International Journal of Optical Innovations & Research. 2025; 03(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijoir/article=2025/view=235462


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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
02
Received 15/12/2025
Accepted 16/12/2025
Published 31/12/2025
Publication Time 16 Days
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