We analyzed two types of Mach−Zehnder plasmonic modulators on a silicon-on-insulator platform with a different furan−thiophene chromophore electro-optic polymer to compare to other reports. The metal-taper coupling structure and the metal-insulator-metal cross section in our design have been optimized based on the new material parameters. According to the simulation result, a modulator with a slot width of 50 nm and an on−off voltage of $V\pi =20\mathrm{V}$ can be 21 μm long, leading to a total modulator loss of 15 dB, which is comparable to previously reported devices.

doi: 10.1364/AO.56.002053