Compact model of in-waveguide silicon photoconductive heater-detectors for tuning photonic circuits

Silicon photoconductive heaters-detectors have been demonstrated to be useful for their ability to simultaneously act as thermo-optic phase shifters and in-waveguide photodetectors, as well for their ease of integration with silicon photonic fabrication processes. This functionality allows for the automated control of circuit elements through detect-and-tune control loops, which enable the efficient scaling of large integrated optoelectronic circuits. We have developed a compact model for the optoelectronic properties of silicon photoconductive devices in Lumerical INTERCONNECT based on measured results from fabricated devices, allowing designers to estimate the performance of such devices in circuits before fabrication. We demonstrate relative device performance compared to germanium detectors, and highlight target applications for such devices through simulation and fabricated devices, including a compact and widely reconfigurable notch filter.