Graphene-based optical modulator for low-power, high-sensitivity cryogenic data transmission

This technology is a cryogenic optoelectronic data link that uses graphene modulators to transmit low-voltage signals with high sensitivity, enabling efficient data transmission between cryogenic systems and room-temperature devices.

Unmet Need: High-sensitivity solutions for communication between cryogenic and room-temperature systems

Recent cryogenic electronic technologies, such as quantum computing and superconducting circuits, require high-sensitivity solutions for low-power data communication with conventional room-temperature electronics. Current electrical transmission lines and amplifiers generate excessive heat and power, disrupting cryogenic conditions. Optical fibers offer a potential solution but need modulators that function efficiently at low temperatures without high input voltages. Existing semiconductor-based modulators underperform in these environments, highlighting the need for more efficient data link systems.

The Technology: Graphene-based modulator enabling low-power, high-sensitivity data transmission from cryogenic systems

This technology is a graphene-based optical modulator that converts low-voltage electrical signals (<1 mV) from cryogenic systems into optical signals (100 μm to 32 nm) for transmission to room-temperature electronics. The modulator uses a single graphene sheet whose optical properties are tuned by low-voltage input. With its zero-gap structure, high electron mobility, and strong broadband optical absorption, graphene enables highly sensitive, low-power optoelectronic devices for data transmission between cryogenic and room-temperature systems.

Applications:

• Data conversion
• Quantum computing
• Radio communication
• Sensitive imaging array
• Superconducting circuits

Advantages:

• Broadband optical compatibility
• Compact size
• High sensitivity
• Low power consumption
• Cryogenic temperature compatibility

Lead Inventor:

Keren Bergman, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Issued (US 12,009,869)

Related Publications:

• Abrams NC, Bahadori M, Phare CT, Lipson M, Bergman K. “Intermodulation crosstalk of graphene-enabled electro-optic microring modulators for dwdm interconnects.” In 2017 IEEE Optical Interconnects Conference (OI) 2017 Jun 5 (pp. 3-4). IEEE.

• Zhou H, Zhu X, Gu T, Wu J, Deng G, Huang SW, Ophir N, Yu M, Kwong DL, Zhou S, Bergman K. “Error-free data transmission through fast broadband all-optical modulation in graphene–silicon optoelectronics.” Applied Physics Letters. 2020 Jun 1;116(22).

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU16109

• Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel