Dynamics of Self-Heating in Microring Resonators

We theoretically and experimentally study the dynamics of self-heating in microring resonators. We present a coupled thermal and optical model based on a lumped capacitance thermal model and optical time-domain coupled-mode theory, and verify it using experimental measurements. The thermal dynamics are modeled by a second-order linear system, and the optical model considers the coupling between the two degenerate counter propagating modes of the microring resonator. The two models are coupled through the stored optical energy inside the microring resonator. The self-heating dynamics are measured using direct and pump-probe methods, and the results of both techniques are in good agreement with the proposed theoretical model.