ESE Ph.D. Thesis Defense: “Energy-efficient Wavelength-Division-Multiplexing Systems for the Next Generation of Optical Transceivers”

The rapid growth of data traffic in data centers and AI applications demands faster, more energy-efficient communication solutions to scale up parallel computing capabilities. This dissertation explores integrated photonic-electronic systems designed to significantly enhance data transfer rates and reduce energy consumption. By simultaneously using multiple wavelengths of light, these systems achieve data rates reaching terabit-per-second (Tb/s). Key contributions include an ultra-efficient, zero-static-power optical demultiplexer, as well as two single-chip optical receivers capable of processing Tb/s-level data streams at minimal power consumption. These developments surpass current technologies, laying the groundwork for more compact, energy-efficient, and reliable optical transceivers critical to next-generation computing platforms.