Localized thermal tuning of ring resonators

A thermally tunable resonator comprising:

• a resonator body having a resonance wavelength which changes as a function of temperature;
• and
• a heater, comprising:
• a first contact pad,
• a second contact pad, and
• a resistive element in electrical contact with both the first and the second contact pads, the resistive element being disposed above the resonator body;
• and the resistive element overlapping the resonator body with a substantial uniformity;
• wherein when a current is applied through the first and the second contact pads to the resistive element, heat is generated, changing the resonance wavelength of the resonator body.

A thermally tunable resonator comprising:

• a resonator body having a resonance wavelength which changes as a function of temperature;
• and
• a heater, comprising:
• a first contact pad,
• a second contact pad, and
• a resistive element having a serpentine shape, in electrical contact with both the first and the second contact pads, the resistive element being disposed above the resonator body;
• wherein when a current is applied through the first and the second contact pads to the resistive element, heat is generated, changing the resonance wavelength of the resonator body.

A thermally tunable resonator comprising:

• a resonator body having a resonance wavelength which changes as a function of temperature;
• a heater comprising:
• a first contact pad;
• a second contact pad;
• and
• a resistive element in electrical contact with both the first and the second contact pads, the resistive element being disposed above the resonator body;
• and
• a temperature sensor which senses a temperature of the resonator body;
• wherein when a current is applied through the first and the second contact pads to the resistive element, heat is generated, changing the resonance wavelength of the resonator body.