All-optical efficient wavelength conversion using silicon photonic wire waveguide

We demonstrate efficient wavelength conversion using a four-wave-mixing (FWM) effect in a silicon photonic wire waveguide with spot size converters. Applying a continuously operated 160-mW pump, power density in the waveguide's core was increased up to around 430 MW/cm/sup 2/, and the FWM effect was remarkably enhanced. Internal conversion efficiency obtained in an experiment was -10.6 dB. The efficiency was significantly limited by the free-carrier absorption effect.