Modal selective tuning in a photonic crystal cavity

We present a way to selectively tune the properties of the degenerated modes confined in a single point defect two-dimensional photonic crystal cavity based on a triangular lattice of air holes. We investigate the dependence of the modal properties of the resonator on the position of the first neighbor holes, showing that it is possible to finely tune the resonant frequency of only one of these two modes and to increase the quality factor of the mode that has no frequency shift. This is achieved by controlling the wavevector components inside the cavity. This approach is a viable strategy for the development and the optimization of several innovative devices based on bi-modal cavity arrays, such as arrays of integrated optical filters and optical read-out sections for biosensing applications.     

Emission properties of a distributed feedback laser cavity containing silicon nanocrystals

We report on light emission from silicon nanocrystals (Si-nc) in a laser cavity. Using modified electrochemical etching of Si wafers we prepare Si-nc with blue-shifted photoluminescence spectrum down to 580-620 nm, embedded at high-volume fractions in a SiO₂-based solid matrix. We insert this active medium into an optically pumped resonator. Since our samples are only partially homogeneous, we cannot use external mirrors in order to achieve optical feedback: we induced optically an internal distributed cavity by intense, spatially periodical excitation. Mode selection was simulated by a simplified theoretical model, based on an approach of multiple reflections. In the framework of the model we discuss the experimentally observed spectral emission changes induced by the distributed cavity.     

3 dB power splitter design based on coupled cavity waveguides

Using numerical simulations, we investigated the transmission properties for coupled cavity waveguides form in two-dimensional photonic dielectric rods in air with square lattice. The dispersion for the coupled cavity waveguides with different radius of the defects is given. The optimum design waveguide should be perfect transmission for pulse though with a quasi-flat dispersion band. Based on the coupled cavity waveguides, a 3 dB power splitter is designed. Our results may have an important role in the design of efficient power splitters in a photonic circuit.     

A simple method for automatic cavity alignment of a solid-state laser

Misalignment of a laser cavity would result in the displacement of beam location on the cavity mirrors. We present a simple method for automatic cavity alignment of a solid-state laser through detecting the location of the laser beam on the rear mirror, with which neither external alignment beams nor modifications to the cavity are required. The rear mirror of the laser cavity is replaced by a tip/tilt mirror to compensate for the misalignment. Experiments show that this method could effectively correct the misalignment of the laser cavity and restore the output power to almost the original value when the resonator is well aligned.     

带非谐振环激光谐振腔的特性

本文中分析了带非谐振环激光谐振腔的光学对称性、稳定性和光束腰位置,可以据此选择谐振腔参数。     

Theoretical analysis on phase-locking properties of a laser diode array facing an external cavity

External coupling model has been used to describe the output field of a laser diode array (LDA) phase-locked with an external cavity. The analytical solution for the coupling matrix equation of the phase-locked system has been obtained. The dependencies of the threshold gain, g_j of the system mode on the residue reflection of the front facet, r_f and round trip external cavity lengths, L have been discussed. The working lengths of the external cavity for stably phase-locking the LDA of different residual reflectivities have been calculated.     

Low threshold laser cavities of two-dimensional photonic crystal line defect mode

Two-dimensional (2D) rod-type photonic crystal (PC) line defect waveguide (LDW) laser cavities based on three types of line defect modes with zero group velocity are studied by using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. These laser cavities have high quality (Q) factor, better localization of light, non-uniform gain distribution and small overlap between gain medium and light field. Therefore, they have the advantages over conventional and air-bridge PC cavities with uniform gain, such as low threshold, single mode lasing and effectively avoiding thermal effect. From their comparison, one can find the mode at middle Brillouin zones (BZ) is the best one to be used as lasing mode. Its dynamic lasing process and lasing features are demonstrated by the numerical experiment where the FDTD method coupling Maxwell's equations with the rate equations of electronic population is used.     

Design of novel laser cavity with diffractive phase elements

A new method based on the general theory of amplitude-phase retrieval is proposed for designing the diffractive phase elements (DPEs) used in the laser cavity that can produce the desired mode with the specified shape of beam. Simulation results show that the laser cavity with the designed DPEs can successfully generate uniform square and triangle ring patterns. The loss of these fundamental modes is negligibly small and the separation of adjacent transverse modes is large enough to discriminate the fundamental mode from the higher-order modes.     

Realization of compatible stealth material for infrared,laser and radar based on one-dimensional doping-structure photonic crystals

To inhibit the radiant infrared energy between 8 and 14 μm, which is the infrared atmospheric window, and decrease the echo power of detecting laser and radar, to achieve compatible stealth, a doping structural one-dimensional photonic crystal (1-D PC) with Ge, ZnSe and Si was fabricated; and then combine it with radar absorbing material (RAM) to make a compound. After that, the reflection spectra of this compound was tested, and the result shows a high average reflectance (89.5%) in 8–14 μm waveband, and a reflective valley (39.8%) in the wavelength of 10.6 μm, which is the wavelength of CO₂ laser; and the reflectance in radar band shows that at high frequency, especially between 7.8 and 18 GHz, the radar power is strongly absorbed by this material and the reflected energy attenuate over 10 dB within the range from 11.1 GHz to 18.3 GHz, even 24.5 dB to the most in the frequency of 14.6 GHz.     

Nanostructured silicon as a photonic material

Photonics applications of silicon are presented. In particular it is demonstrated that silicon when rendered low dimensional, e.g. in form of nanocrystals or quantum wires, can be turned into an active photonic materials which shows light amplification characteristics, non-linear optical effects, photon confinement in both one and two dimensions, photon trapping with evidences of light localization, and gas sensing properties.     

Ultraviolet laser microstructuring of silicon and the effect of laser pulse duration on the surface morphology

The study of the laser pulse duration effect on the silicon micro-spikes morphology is presented. The microcones were produced by ultraviolet (248 nm) laser irradiation of doped Si wafers in SF₆ environment. The laser pulse duration was adjusted at 450 fs, 5 ps and 15 ns. We have analyzed the statistical nature of the spikes’ morphological characteristics, such as periodicity and apex angle by exploiting image processing techniques, on SEM images of the irradiated samples. The correlation of the quantitative morphological characteristics with the laser parameters (pulse duration, laser fluence and number of pulses) provides new insight on the physical mechanisms, which are involved on the formation of Si microcones.     

Optimisation of laser linewidth and cavity alignment in off-axis cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy

Laser linewidth affects baseline mode structured variations and hence measurement absorption sensitivity in off-axis cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy with a continuous-wave tunable laser and a stable optical cavity formed by two high reflectivity mirrors. Cavity transmittances have been calculated for various laser linewidths and different optical beam re-entrant conditions for the cavity when overlapping of the optical beams occurs on the cavity mirrors after a finite number of beam round trips within the cavity. It is shown that in order to achieve maximum absorption sensitivity both a specific laser linewidth and specific arrangement of the optical cavity have to be selected and defined using the proposed approach.     

Excess Si concentration dependence of the photoluminescence of Si nanoclusters in SiO2 fabricated by ion implantation

A method for the fabrication of luminescent Si nanoclusters in an amorphous SiO₂ matrix by ion implantation and annealing, and the detailed mechanisms for the photoluminescence are reported. We have measured the implanted ion dose, annealing time and excitation energy dependence of the photoluminescence from implanted layers. The samples were fabricated by Si ion implantation into SiO₂ and subsequent high-temperature annealing. After annealing, a photoluminescence band below 1.7 eV has been observed. The peak energy of the photoluminescence is found to be independent of annealing time and excitation energy, while the intensity of the luminescence increases as the annealing time and excitation energy increase. Moreover, we found that the peak energy of the luminescence is strongly affected by the dose of implanted Si ions especially in the high dose range. These results indicate that the photons are absorbed by Si nanoclusters, for which the band-gap energy is modified by the quantum confinement effects, and the emission is not simply due to direct electron–hole recombination inside Si nanoclusters, but is related to defects probably at the interface between Si nanoclusters and SiO₂, for which the energy state is affected by Si cluster–cluster interactions. It seems that Si nanoclusters react via a thin oxide interface and the local concentrations of Si nanoclusters play an important role in the peak energy of the photoluminescence.     

Stability conditions of a laser cavity with gaussian diaphragms

Laser cavities with spherical mirrors and Gaussian diaphragms have been investigated. The influence of the parameters of mirrors and Gaussian diaphragms on the stability conditions of such cavities is shown. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 67, No. 4, pp. 465–468, July–August, 2000.     

Analysis and engineering of coupled cavity waveguides based on coupled-mode theory

The analytical expression for the transmission spectra of coupled cavity waveguides （CCWs） in photonic crystals （PCs） is derived based on the coupled-mode theory （CMT）. Parameters in the analytical expression can be extracted by simple numerical simulations. We reveal that it is the phase shift between the two adjacent PC defects that uniquely determines the flatness of the impurity bands of CCWs. In addition, it is found that the phase shift also greatly affects the bandwidth of CCWs. Thus, the engineering of the impurity bands of CCWs can be realized through the adjustment of the phase shift. Based on the theoretical results, an interesting phenomenon in which a CCW acts as a single PC defect and its impurity band possesses a Lorentz lineshape is predicted. Very good agreement between the analytical results and the numerical simulations based on transfer matrix method has been achieved.     

外腔中半导体二极管激光阵列的高阶侧模锁定

 理论分析了外腔较短情况下,宽条半导体二极管激光阵列（LDA）高阶侧模相位锁定的可能性,观察了包含主、旁瓣结构的多侧模远场光强分布。从实验记录结果可以看出,在旁瓣中出现了标志锁相的峰、谷结构,而且该结构的调制度明显高于主瓣中的峰、谷结构的调制度,结果表明：在外腔较短情况下,LDA高阶侧模相位锁定的现象是存在的。     

Numerical analysis of a CO2 SFUR laser cavity

Summary In this paper we present a numerical study of the SFUR (self-filtering unstable resonator) cavity resonant modes and numerical results are compared with the experimental data. The numerical code developed for analysing the SFUR cavity will also allow for studying a wider class of resonators, and is therefore a very useful tool in designing new laser cavities.     

A new method for increasing the laser damage threshold of metal mirrors

In order to increase the damage threshold of metal mirrors we propose to create a special structure on the surface of the mirrors (“photonic surface”). This structure must have the period about λ/2 and will suppress propagation of surface plasmons with the frequency ω₀=2πc/λ along the surface. This structure will also slightly increase the heat removal from the mirror’s surface by the excitation of the thermostimulated plasmon emission from the surface. The heat removal from the surface is estimated and possible implementation of this approach for use with CO₂-lasers (λ=10.6 μm) and Nd-YAG-lasers (λ=1.06 μm) is analyzed.     

Investigation of 2D-photonic crystal resonant cavity based WDM demultiplexer

In this attempt, Two Dimensional Photonic Crystal (2DPC) Quasi Square Ring Resonator (QSRR) based four channel demultiplexer is proposed and designed for Wavelength Division Multiplexing systems. The performance parameters of the demultiplexer such as transmission efficiency, passband width, line spacing, Q factor and crosstalk are investigated. The proposed demultiplexer is composed of bus waveguide, drop waveguide and QSRR. In the proposed demultiplexer, the output ports are arranged separately in odd and even number, where an odd number of ports are located on the right side and even number of ports are located on the left side of the bus waveguide that are used to reduce the channel interference or crosstalk. Further, the refractive index of rods around the center rod is increased linearly one to another in order to improve the signal quality. The resonant wavelengths of the proposed demultiplexer are of 1521.1?nm, 1522.0?nm, 1523.2?nm and 1524.3?nm, respectively. The footprint of the device is of 180.96?μm². Then, a four channel point to point network is designed and the proposed four channel demultiplexer is implemented by replacing a conventional demultiplexer. Finally, functional parameters of the network, namely, BER, receiver sensitivity and Q factor are estimated by varying the link distance. This attempt could create new dimensions of research in the domain of photonic networks.