Data usage across the internet is growing exponentially, fueled primarily by the move to cloud computing and penetration of streaming services into developing countries. To address the growing energy needs of data centers, we propose an all oxide plasmon assisted electro-optic modulator, which features enhanced light-matter interaction, and compact sizes as seen in plasmonic modulators while at the same time maintaining low insertion losses, as seen in photonic modulators. This is achieved by utilizing a device design that selectively engages and disengages the lossy plasmonic component, as the device switches from low transmission to high transmission modes.
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