Nonlinear-optical phase modification in dispersion-engineered Si photonic wires

The strong dispersion and large third-order nonlinearity in Si photonic wires are intimately linked in the optical physics needed for the optical modification of phase. By carefully choosing the waveguide dimensions, both linear and nonlinear optical properties of Si wires can be engineered. In this paper we provide a review of the modification of phase using nonlinear-optical effects such as self-phase and cross-phase modulation in dispersion-engineered Si wires. The low threshold powers for phase-changing effects in Si-wires make them potential candidates for functional nonlinear optical devices of just a few millimeters in length. (C) 2008 Optical Society of America.