Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We propose a calibration-free photonic memory bitcell based on nonresonant variable optical attenuators in the GlobalFoundries 45SPCLO platform. The cell maintains complementary electrical states through electro-optical feedback without cavity-resonance alignment. Wordline-controlled attenuators enable selective writing through differential optical bitlines, while optical readout shares the holding input and output splitters, avoiding additional read attenuators or a separate laser source. Circuit simulations demonstrate writing with $10~\mathrm{ps}$ optical pulses at $2~\mathrm{mW}$ peak power. The cell retains data as long as optical and electrical power are supplied, with retention simulated for $5~\mathrm{s}$ per logic state. The evaluated transition consumes an incremental write energy of $0.562~\mathrm{pJ}$, including circuit electrical energy and the laser contribution at 20\% wall-plug efficiency. The bitcell layout occupies $147.92\times219.93~μ\mathrm{m}^{2}$.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Singh, Ankur, Jaiswal, Akhilesh
Institution: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Language: English
Topic: Photonic and Optical Devices
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G4091715148
OpenAlex ID: W7216225772