Ultracompact waveguide bends with simple topology in two-dimensional photonic crystal slabs for optical communication wavelengths

Ultracompact waveguide bends with simple topology in two-dimensional photonic crystal slabs are proposed by using an annular air groove at the bend corner to improve transmissions of the bends. Analysis indicates that the guided light wave experiences a very slight difference of propagation properties between straight waveguides and bends (with 60 degrees and 120 degrees bending angles). Transmissions of more than 90% can be achieved in the 60 degrees and 120 degrees bends for light waves at 1.55 microm with bandwidths of 101 and 74 nm, respectively.     

中波红外制冷型光学系统消热差设计

对比了典型消热差方法的优劣,探讨光学被动式消热差的基本理论。在此基础上,根据系统要求的温度范围 60℃～90℃,在常温初始结构的基础上,利用Zemax软件的多重结构和自动热分析功能增加其他温度结构,运用光学被动式消热差方法进行热平衡和像差平衡,最终设计出一套中波制冷型消热差光学系统。光学设计时以探测器冷阑作为系统孔径光阑,实现了100%冷阑匹配。结构材料使用铝,光学材料为硅、锗和硒化锌,将它们组合消热差。系统在-60℃～90℃温度范围内,最大离焦量小于1倍焦深,空间分辨率17 lp/mm处,光学调制传递函数(MTF)值均大于0.74,接近衍射极限,点列图弥散斑均未超出单像元尺寸范围。     

Zero-birefringence photosensitive polyimides for optical waveguides

Zero-birefringence (delta n < 1 x 10(-6)) photosensitive fluorinated polyimides are synthesized for use in polymer optical waveguides. To obtain zero birefringence, the UV exposure time and copolymer content of photosensitive polyimides are controlled. Zero birefringence combined with photoprocessing of the material has excellent potential for applications in high-performance wavelength division multiplexing components such as polarization-independent arrayed waveguide gratings and Bragg wavelength filters.     

Highly efficient single-photon detection at communication wavelengths by use of upconversion in reverse-proton-exchanged periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguides

Conventional single-photon detectors at communication wavelengths suffer from low quantum efficiencies and large dark counts. We present a single-photon detection system, operating at communication wavelengths, based on guided-wave frequency upconversion in a nonlinear crystal with an overall system detection efficiency (upconversion + detection) exceeding 46% at 1.56 microm. This system consists of a fiber-pigtailed reverse-proton-exchanged periodically poled LiNbO3 waveguide device in conjunction with a silicon-based single-photon counting module.     

Complete modal decomposition for optical waveguides

Virtually all electromagnetic waveguiding structures support a multiplicity of modes. Nevertheless, to date, an experimental method for unique decomposition of the fields in terms of the component eigenmodes has not been realized. The fundamental problem is that all current attempts of modal decomposition do not yield phase information. Here we introduce a noninterferometric approach to achieve modal decomposition of the fields at the output of a general waveguiding structure. The technique utilizes a mapping of the two-dimensional field distribution onto the one-dimensional space of waveguide eigenmodes, together with a phase-retrieval algorithm to extract the amplitudes and phases of all the guided vectorial modes. Experimental validation is provided by using this approach to examine the interactions of 16 modes in a hollow-core photonic-band gap fiber.     

Novel graphene enhancement nanolaser based on hybrid plasmonic waveguides at optical communication wavelength

Surface plasmon polariton(SPP) nanolaser, which can achieve an all-optical circuit, is a major research topic in the field of micro light source. In this study, we examine a novel SPP graphene nanolaser in an optoelectronic integration field.The proposed nanolaser consists of metallic silver, two-dimensional(2 D) graphene and high refractive index semiconductor of indium gallium arsenide phosphorus. Compared with other metals, Ag can reduce the threshold and propagation loss.The SPP field, excited by coupling Ag and InGaAsP, can be enhanced by the 2 D material of graphene. In the proposed nanolaser, the maximum value of propagation loss is approximately 0.055 d B/μm, and the normalized mode area is constantly less than 0.05, and the best threshold can achieve 3380 cm~(-1) simultaneously. Meanwhile, the proposed nanolaser can be fabricated by conventional materials and work in optical communication(1550 nm), which can be easily achieved with current nanotechnology. It is also an important method that will be used to overcome the challenges of high speed,miniaturization, and integration in optoelectronic integrated technology.     

Complex coupled-mode theory for tapered optical waveguides

A coupled-mode formulation based on complex local modes is developed for tapered and longitudinally varying optical waveguides. Different from the conventional coupled-mode theory that requires integration over the entire spectrum of radiation modes, the new formulation treats the radiation fields via discrete complex modes similarly to the guided modes. Accuracy, convergence, and scope of validity for the solutions of the complex coupled-mode equations are investigated in detail for a typical single-mode waveguide taper. It is demonstrated that the complex coupled-mode theory has overcome the difficulties of the conventional theory in simulation of radiation field effects while preserving the simplicity and intuitiveness of this popular method.     

Theory of optical waveguides

This report summarizes the activities at the 3rd International Workshop on Optical Waveguide Theory, held at the Scuola Superiore Guglielmo Reiss Romoli, L'Aquila, Italy, on 9–11 September, 1978.     

Organic crystals growth for optical channel waveguides

Optical channel waveguides of meta-nitroaniline (m-NA) crystal, which has potential applications to nonlinear optical devices, have been fabricated on glass substrates having fine grooves. The crystal growth was performed by zone-melting, scanning a CO₂ laser beam along the grooves filled with the polycrystal m-NA. Optical and X-ray observations showed that zone-melting changed the polycrystalline state to a single crystalline state with the 〈001〉 direction along the groove. The scattering loss for a 5 mm-long m-NA crystal waveguide (100 μm both in width and in depth) was found to decrease from 50 dB to 2.5 dB with this process.     

CdTe epilayers for uses in optical waveguides

CdTe epilayers have been grown by vapor phase epitaxy (VPE) on glass, MgO, sapphire, LiNbO₃ and mica substrates. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies show the good structural quality of the epilayers. In these epilayers, a few optical modes were excited with a 1.33-μm laser. The measured propagation losses were in the range between 5 dB/cm and less than 0.5 dB/cm. From dark-mode m-lines, the epilayer thickness was found to be in the 1–3 μm range, in good accord with that obtained by SEM measurements. The refractive index obtained from the fitting is also in good accord with that of bulk CdTe. Received: 7 October 1999 / Accepted: 13 March 2000 / Published online: 5 July 2000     

Long-range dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides operating at telecommunication wavelengths

We report on the realization of long-range dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguides (LR-DLSPPWs) consisting of straight and bent subwavelength dielectric ridges deposited on thin and narrow metal stripes supported by a dielectric buffer layer covering a low-index substrate. Using imaging with a near-field optical microscope and end-fire coupling with a tapered fiber connected to a tunable laser at telecommunication wavelengths (1425-1545?nm), we demonstrate low-loss (propagation length ～500?μm) and well-confined (mode width ～1?μm) LR-DLSPPW mode guiding and determine the propagation and bend loss.     

双色红外共孔径消热差光学系统设计

针对红外搜索跟踪系统对目标的探测,为提高光学系统在复杂背景下的探测能力,设计了双色红外共口径光学系统。系统工作波段为红外中波3 m~5 m和红外长波8 m~12 m,采用分光型RC系统实现双波段共孔径清晰成像,总焦距为400 mm,相对孔径D/f=1/2,全视场角为2,为了抑制中波的热辐射杂光,对中波系统实现了二次成像,通过红外材料与光焦度的合理分配实现了折反式被动消热差设计。设计结果表明,系统在-40℃～+60℃工作温度下像质优良,能够满足红外搜索跟踪系统的使用需求。     

Two-beam interferometer for optical constants measurements at near-millimeter wavelengths

A simple and versatile instrument for the measurement of optical constants in the near millimeter spectral region is described. Studies of quasi-optical components used in this instrument for effective beam transmission and control are reported. These studies include transmission characteristics of dielectric waveguides and performance of a variable coupler based on frustrated total internal reflection. Operation of this instrument as a two-beam interferometer for determining the index of refraction or as a device to measure transmission for determining the absorption coefficient are described. Values measured with this instrument at 245 GHz, using an optically pumped molecular laser as the source, are reported for several low-loss materials. Appropriate corrections and error estimates are discussed. The potential for improvement and increased accuracies are discussed.Work supported by the U. S. Army Research Office under Grant DAAG29-80-G-0005 and by the NASA Langley Research Center under Grant NAG-1-187.     

Nonlinear planar asymmetrical optical waveguides for sensing applications

This paper provides a theoretical analysis for TE polarized waves guided by a linear film surrounded by two asymmetrical nonlinear media for sensing applications. The sensitivity of the proposed sensor is derived. The conditions required for the sensor to exhibit its maximum sensitivity are presented. This analysis covers the case when the measurand is homogeneously distributed in the covering medium. We show that nonlinear sensors have sensitivities higher than those of linear sensors. The authors believe that optical sensing can be improved by introducing nonlinear waveguides.     

Numerical analyses of optical couplers for planar waveguides

The paper presents the results of numerical analyses of optical structures realized in the form of planar waveguides made of materials with high values of the refractive index n ??1.85. The analysed structures consist of a waveguide and input-output systems. Input-output couplers are realized in the form of prisms as well as Bragg??s grating couplers. Numerical investigations were carried out by applying the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method.     

Fourier modal methods for modeling optical dielectric waveguides

This work contains new materials relative to the use of Fourier expansion techniques, also called plane-wave expansion techniques, for modelling normal modes of optical waveguides. Two rigorous fully vectorial methods are presented and benchmarked for a classical rib waveguide geometry well studied in the literature. The first method relies on a pole extraction and on a one-dimensional expansion scheme. A four-digit accuracy for the normalized propagation constant B is obtained for the dominant TE and TM modes of the benchmark problem and for a small number of retained Fourier harmonics. Better accuracy is anticipated for larger truncation ranks. The second method relies on a two-dimensional expansion scheme in Fourier space and provides a three-digit accuracy for the normalized propagation constant.     

Measurements on high-bandwidth optical waveguides

Frequency response measurements on six high-bandwidth optical waveguides made by the doped deposited silica process are reported. One of these had an extrapolated bandwidth in excess of 3 GHz-km. From plane wave measurements the actual or optimum waveguide profile may be determined given the other. Data taken on a germanium borosilicate waveguide is in agreement with interference measurements.     

New method for loss measurements in optical waveguides

A new three-prism method for measuring losses of optical waveguides is presented. It has a high accuracy and is comparatively simple, both in construction and during the measurement process. The method can be applied to all kinds of planar waveguides and enables one to obtain results which are independent of the coupling efficiencies of the middle movable prism and laser radiation fluctuations.