Magnetically controllable silicon microring with ferrofluid cladding

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the application of magnetic fluids (MFs) on integrated silicon photonics. Using a ferrofluid-clad silicon microring resonator, we demonstrate active control of resonances by applying an external magnetic field. Relatively high loaded quality factors on the order of 6000 are achieved, despite the optical losses introduced by the magnetic nanoparticles. We demonstrate resonance shifts of 185 pm in response to a 110 Oe strong magnetic field, corresponding to an overall refractive index change of -3.2×10^-3 for the cladding MF. The combination of MFs and integrated photonics could potentially lead to the development of magnetically controllable optical devices and ultra-compact cost-effective magnetic field sensors.