Setup and characterization of a silicon photonic transmitter system : Aufbau und Charakterisierung eines siliziumphotonischen Transmittersystems

As particle collision experiments are upgraded to operate at higher luminosities, the electronics within their detectors face increasingly harsh X-ray and particle radiation. Driven by demands for higher resolution, reduced detector mass, and the shift towards off-detector data processing, current readout systems must be upgraded to handle significantly higher data rates. Silicon photonic electro-optic modulators offer a highly promising technological solution to these challenges.
The primary objective of this master thesis was to establish single-modulator data transmission systems utilizing the COTTONTAIL chip and to conduct in-situ characterization of its behavior under active X-ray irradiation. Executing these measurements required several optimizations to the existing packaging and interconnection technologies. Specifically, custom fan-out printed circuit boards were developed to provide high-frequency broadband electrical connections (and terminations) for the modulators via wire bonds. Additionally, the fiber-to-chip coupling for optical signal transmission was significantly refined to ensure stability, and a comprehensive software suite was created to enable the main and supporting measurement procedures.