Micro-disc modulator, silicon photonic device and optoelectronic communication apparatus using the same

A device comprising:

• a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a first primary surface;
• and
• a photonic structure on the first primary surface of the SOI substrate, the photonic structure comprising:
• a silicon waveguide;
• and
• a micro-disc modulator adjacent to the silicon waveguide, the micro-disc modulator comprising:
• a first layer having a first first-type region doped with first-type dopants;
• and
• a second layer disposed on the first layer, the second layer having a second-type region doped with second-type dopants and in contact with the first first-type region,
• wherein the first first-type region and the second-type region form a first p-n junction where a direction of current flow is perpendicular to the first primary surface of the SOI substrate, and wherein the first layer comprises a first disc-shaped layer that includes a first central region and a first peripheral region with the first central region being a first electrode and the first peripheral region being the first first-type region, and wherein the second layer comprises a second ring-shaped layer that includes a second central region and a second peripheral region with the second central region being a second electrode and the second peripheral region being the second-type region.