Optical bistability in a single-bus InGaAs micro-ring resonator array

In this paper, we investigate the optical bistability induced by optical nonlinearity in a compact parallel array of micro-ring resonators with radius of 5 μm. Due to the nature of perfect light confinement in this structure, resonance and accumulation process in a ring resonator and optical nonlinear effects, are observable even at small optical power (a few milliwatts). Different optical applications such as all-optical switching, optical memory devices, logic gates and modulators are possible, due to optical bistability in a ring resonator. Using alternative semiconductor compounds, instead of silicon that have weak nonlinear optical properties, we improve the performance of ring-resonator based devices. Here we use a polymer cladding layer with negative thermo-optic coefficient. Using this structure we can eliminate the temperature created nonlinearity which is a very slow process. Therefore, the switching speed increases from a few MHz to several tens of GHz. By plotting the transfer function of the resonator, a hysteresis loop is observed in a few milliwatts. Although, using a ring resonator array the bandwidth reduces, however, the width of the hysteresis loop and resolution between both steady state increases.     

Synthesis of New LnxBi2–xSe3 (Ln: Sm3+, Eu3+, Gd3+, Tb3+) Nanomaterials and Investigation of Their Optical Properties

New Ln_xBi_2–xSe₃ (Ln: Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺) based nanomaterials were synthesized by a co‐reduction method. Powder XRD patterns indicate that the Ln_xBi_2–xSe₃ crystals (Ln = Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, x = 0.00–0.44 and Ln = Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺, x = 0.00–0.50) are isostructural with Bi₂Se₃. The cell parameter c decreases for Ln = Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, Tb³⁺ upon increasing the dopant content (x), while a slightly increases. Changes in lattice parameters could be related to the radii of cations. SEM images show that doping of the lanthanide ions in the lattice of Bi₂Se₃ generally results in nanoflowers. For the terbium compound two kinds of morphologies (nanoflowers and nanobelts) were observed. UV/Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy reveals mainly electronic transitions of the Ln³⁺ ions. Emission spectra show intense transitions from the excited to the ground state of Ln³⁺ and energy transfer from the Bi₂Se₃ lattice. Emission spectra of europium‐doped materials, in addition to the characteristic red emission peaks of Eu³⁺, show an intense blue emission band centered at 432 nm, originating from the 4f⁶5d¹ to 4f⁷ configuration in Eu²⁺. EPR measurements confirm the existence of Eu²⁺ in the materials. Interestingly, for all samples starting at low Ln³⁺ concentration, the emission intensity rises to a maximum at a Ln³⁺ concentration of x = 0.2 and falls again steadily to a minimum at x = 0.45.     

Sensitive,Fast, Solution‐Processed Ultraviolet Detectors Based on Passivated Zinc Oxide Nanorods

Solution‐processed ultraviolet photodetectors based on passivated and unpassivated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods, in which the ZnO nanoparticles are synthesized by a hydrothermal method, are demonstrated and characterized. Photoconductive photodetectors fabricated using simple solution processing have recently been shown to exhibit high gains and outstanding sensitivities. One ostensible disadvantage of exploiting photoconductive gain is that the temporal response is limited by the release of carriers from trap states. Herein, specific chemical species are introduced onto the surfaces of ZnO nanoparticles to produce desired trap states with a carefully selected lifetime. Compared with conventional photodetectors based on ZnO nanoparticles, the proposed UV photodetectors have much higher photoresponses and faster response times in the UV region. The photoconductive gain of the fabricated photodetectors varies from 26.83 to 2.32×10² for passivated samples, which indicates high gain. The best temporal response for the fabricated detectors is 34 ms rise time and 132 ms decay time for ZnO nanoparticles passivated by hexamethylenetetramine.     

High power room-temperature design of terahertz quantum cascade laser based on difference frequency generation

Terahertz (THz) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are key elements for high-power terahertz beam generation for integrated applications. In this study, we design a highly nonlinear THz-QCL active region in order to increase the output power of the device especially at lower THz frequencies based on difference frequency generation (DFG) process. It has been shown that the output power increases for a 3.2 THz structure up to 1.2 μW at room temperature in comparison with the reported power of P = 0.3 μW in [1]. The mid-IR wavelengths associated with this laser are λ₁ = 12.12 μm and λ₂ = 13.93 μm, which are mixed in a medium with high second-order nonlinearity. A similar approach has been used to design an active region with THz frequency of 1.8 THz. The output power of this structure reaches to 1 μW at room temperature where the mid-IR wavelengths are λ₁ = 12.05 μm, λ₂ = 12.99 μm.     

An all-optical switch/photodetection at 1550 nm,based on a micro-ring resonator array

In this paper, a photodetector based on InGaAs micro-ring resonator array with 5 μm radius, in telecommunication wavelength region has been investigated. Then for the first time to our knowledge, with the change of refractive index due to optical nonlinear effects (such as: Kerr effect, two photon absorption, free carrier dispersion and free carrier absorption), an all-optical switch, based on pump-probe configuration using this photodetector have been proposed. So, the suggested device, will introduce a dual functionality that is important from view point of economically purposes and in term of integration. By numerically solving the light propagation equations, with FDTD and Crank–Nicolson methods, in addition to steady state and transient response, also we have found the frequency response, in both configurations. With increasing reverse bias voltage, and optimizing the free carrier transportation from absorption region, switching frequency can be increased up to 200 GHz. Also by optimal choosing of parameters such as the number of rings and spaces between two adjacent rings and so on, the box-like spectral response of photodetector with high efficiency is achievable.     

A new proposal for Si tandem solar cell: Significant efficiency enhancement in 3C–SiC/Si

In order to considerable enhancement of the efficiency of silicon solar cells, in this paper, for the first time, we present a new proposal for silicon based tandem solar cells. For investigation of this idea, we have evaluated the characteristics of 3C–SiC/Si crystalline tandem solar cells connected series by a tunneling junction, under air mass 1.5 global irradiance spectrums. A 2D simulation including the effects of surface passivation, back surface field (BSF), and carrier tunneling have been performed to obtain the optical and electrical characteristics of single junction silicon, 3C–SiC, and finally the tandem cells. The obtained data illustrate that the best design parameters considering the experimental limitations can be obtained. High energy conversion efficiency for the proposed structure of 26.09% has been achieved for 3C–SiC/Si tandem structure driven by 20.49% and 17.86% conversion efficiencies of single junction Si and 3C–SiC solar cells, respectively. Our results justifies that the higher conversion efficiency of the Si-based tandem structure compared with 3C–SiC and Si cells stems from enhancement of open circuit voltage and fill factor parameter at the hands of decrease in short circuit current limited by the top 3C–SiC cell.     

A new Zn(II) complex of unusual unidentate coordination of 4,4′-bipyridine, a new precursor for the preparation of zinc(II) oxide nanoparticles

A 4,4′-bipyridine Zn(II) complex [Zn(4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₂·4(4,4′-bipy) is synthesized, characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and studied by X-ray crystallography. The compound forms monomeric units as a result of unusual unidentate coordination of 4,4′-bipy ligands. The thermal stability of the compound is studied by thermal analyses. Furthermore, the complex is luminescent with emission maxima at 329 nm in the methanol solvent. Different sizes of zinc(II) oxide nanoparticles are prepared by calcination of the [Zn(4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₄](ClO₄)₂·4(4,4′-bipy) compound at two different temperatures. These nanostructures are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.     

Photophysical Properties and Kinetic Studies of 2-Vinylpyridine-Based Cycloplatinated(II) Complexes Containing Various Phosphine Ligands

A series of cycloplatinated(II) complexes with general formula of [PtMe(Vpy)(PR₃)], Vpy = 2-vinylpyridine and PR₃ = PPh₃ (1a); PPh₂Me (1b); PPhMe₂ (1c), were synthesized and characterized by means of spectroscopic methods. These cycloplatinated(II) complexes were luminescent at room temperature in the yellow–orange region’s structured bands. The PPhMe₂ derivative was the strongest emissive among the complexes, and the complex with PPh₃ was the weakest one. Similar to many luminescent cycloplatinated(II) complexes, the emission was mainly localized on the Vpy cyclometalated ligand as the main chromophoric moiety. The present cycloplatinated(II) complexes were oxidatively reacted with MeI to yield the corresponding cycloplatinated(IV) complexes. The kinetic studies of the reaction point out to an S_N2 mechanism. The complex with PPhMe₂ ligand exhibited the fastest oxidative addition reaction due to the most electron-rich Pt(II) center in its structure, whereas the PPh₃ derivative showed the slowest one. Interestingly, for the PPhMe₂ analog, the trans isomer was stable and could be isolated as both kinetic and thermodynamic product, while the other two underwent trans to cis isomerization.     

First-principles study of ferromagnetism in epitaxial Si-Mn thin films on Si(001)

Density-functional theory calculations are employed to investigate both the epitaxial growth and the magnetic properties of thin Mn and MnSi films on Si(001). For single Mn adatoms, we find a preference for the second-layer interstitial site. While a monolayer Mn film is energetically unfavorable, a capping-Si layer significantly enhances the thermodynamic stability and induces a change from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic order. For higher Mn coverage, a sandwiched Si-Mn thin film (with CsCl-like crystal structure) is found to be the most stable epitaxial structure. We attribute the strong ferromagnetic intralayer coupling in these films to Mn 3d-Si 3s3p exchange.