Interaction between a dark spot and a two-dimensional nonlinear photonic lattice with fully incoherent white light

We study experimentally the interaction of a dark spot with a nonlinear photonic lattice with fully incoherent white light emitted from an incandescent bulb in the self-defocussing photovoltaic media when the dark spot is aimed at different positions of lattices with different lattice spacing. In this case a host of novel phenomena is demonstrated, including dark spot induced lattice dislocation-deformation, the annihilation of the dark spot and so on. Results demonstrate that the interaction between incoherent dark spot and photonic lattice is always attraction and the large-spacing photonic lattice is analogous to the continuous medium.     

Realization of controllable etching for ZnO film by NH4Cl aqueous solution and its influence on optical and electrical properties

ZnO films were deposited on c-plane Al₂O₃ substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The etching treatments for as-grown ZnO films were performed in NH₄Cl aqueous solution as a function of NH₄Cl concentration and etching time. It was found that NH₄Cl solution is an appropriate candidate for ZnO wet etching because of its controllable and moderate etching rate. The influence of etching treatment on the morphology, optical and electrical properties of the ZnO films has been investigated systematically by means of X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscope, photoluminescence and Hall effect. The results indicated that the surface morphology and optical properties of the films were highly influenced by etching treatment.     

The peculiarities of discrete diffraction in two-dimensional optical waveguide arrays

The fundamental peculiarities of discrete diffraction in the two-dimensional waveguide arrays were studied. The discrete diffraction properties of such arrays can be effectively altered, depending upon the input conditions. By slightly changing the input conditions, light can experience normal diffraction in one-direction and experience anomalous diffraction in the other.     

Surface wave effect on light scattering from one-dimensional photonic crystals

Light scattering and reflection measurements using attenuated total reflection technique for s polarization of the incident light on a finite one-dimensional photonic crystal are reported. Angular specular reflection was measured experimentally to determine, the optimum thickness, the angular position of the surface mode, and the number of bi-layers of the system. It was demonstrated that the position of the surface mode inside the last film is close to the asymptotic value when the number of periods is increased. Spectral reflection measurements were made to determine experimentally the band gap width and measure the dispersion relation of the surface mode inside this band. The corresponding field amplitude was calculated (∣E∣²) showing that in resonant conditions it has a maximum near the surface. The angular dependence of the scattered light measured displays a peak caused by singles cattering and located approximately at the excitation angle of the surface electromagnetic mode. When the incident light is in resonance with the surface electromagnetic wave, it is found experimentally that the scattering of light is enhanced overall by approximately one order of magnitude in comparison with the off-resonance case.     

Self-collimation and beam splitting in low-index photonic crystals

We study self-collimation and beam splitting in low-refractive-index photonic crystals created within chalcogenide glass. We propose a beam splitter structure that allows direct experimental verification of photonic-crystal effects at optical wavelengths in a straightforward and definitive manner. The beam splitter provides angular separation of 90° using a highly compact spatial footprint, thus delivering direct application in highly integrated photonic devices.     

Evaluation of the cross-polarization modulation impact on the conversion efficiency of a four wave mixing process developed in a bulk-SOA

This paper addresses, theoretically and experimentally, the impact of the cross-polarization modulation (XPolM) phenomenon on the conversion efficiency of a four wave mixing (FWM) process taking place in a bulk-SOA with input signals linearly co-polarized at 0°, 45°, 90°, and −45°. Based on the experimental determination of the output polarization states of the pump and probe signals, a technique is proposed to incorporate the XPolM effect in classic models describing the FWM. It is demonstrated that classic models lacking the inclusion of the XPolM effect can reflect a significant error in the estimation of the conversion efficiency.     

Electrochemical Deposition and Properties of ZnTe Nanowire Array

Pulsed electrodeposited technique is applied to fabricate ZnTe nanowire arrays with different diameters into the anodic alumina membrane in citric acid solution. The x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy indicate that the high ordered, uniform and single-crystalline nanowires have been fabricated. The optical absorption spectra of the nanowire array show that the optical absorption band edge of the ZnTe nanowire array exhibit a blue shift compared with that of bulk ZnTe, and the nonlinear current-voltage characteristic is observed.     

Transmission Properties of W3 Y-Branch Filters in Two-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Slabs

A highly efficient W3 Y-branch filter in a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab with triangular lattice of air holes is designed and fabricated, and its transmission properties are measured. By accurately adjusting the size of the resonant cavities, the minimum wavelength spacing of 7 nm between two channels is realized. The corresponding resonant wavelengths of the two cavities agree well with the calculated ones. This implies that this kind of fiIter may be promising in integrated wavelength division multiplexing system.     

Effects of sic buffer layer on the optical properties of ZnO films grown on Si (1 1 1) substrates

ZnO films have been grown by a sol-gel process on Si (1 1 1) substrates with and without SiC buffer layers. The influence of SiC buffer layer on the optical properties of ZnO films grown on Si (1 1 1) substrates was investigated. The intensity of the E₂ (high) phonon peak in the micro-Raman spectrum of ZnO film with the SiC buffer layer is stronger than that of the sample without the SiC buffer layer, and the breadth of E₂ (high) phonon peak of ZnO film with the SiC buffer layer is narrower than that of the sample without the SiC buffer layer. These results indicated that the crystalline quality of the sample with the SiC buffer layer is better than that of the sample without the SiC buffer layer. In photoluminescence spectra, the intensity of free exciton emission from ZnO films with the SiC buffer was much stronger than that from ZnO film without the SiC buffer layer, while the intensity of deep level emission from sample with the SiC buffer layer was about half of that of sample without the SiC buffer layer. The results indicate the SiC buffer layer improves optical qualities of ZnO films on Si (1 1 1) substrates.     

Study of optical waveguide of barium sodium niobate films on potassium titanyl phosphate

Barium sodium niobate (BSN) optical waveguide films were grown on potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) substrate by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray pole spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that the as-grown BSN films are epitaxially smooth, fine-particled and show small constituent deviation. Both m lines of the waveguided TE and TM modes were recorded. Lattice match between the BSN(110) and both the KTP(001) and KTP(100) planes is examined with mismatch less than 3%. Effective refractive indices as a function of incident wavelength and order of the waveguided modes are studied. A phase matching relationship of k ⁽¹⁾−2k ⁽⁰⁾=0 is established between the first-order and fundamental modes in the BSN/KTP waveguided system. Effective thicknesses for TE and TM modes were obtained to be equal to 0.76 and 0.72 μm, respectively, larger than the thickness of the as-grown BSN film of 0.60 μm. A constituent ratio of Ba:Na:Nb in the BSN film measured was equal to 2:0.82:5.14, slightly deviating from the stoichiometric ratio of 2:1:5, which is attributed to higher relative asymptotic velocity for Nb species and higher evaporation pressure for Na species. Finally, the main factors affecting quality of the as-grown BSN films are also discussed. Received: 26 March 1999 / Accepted: 30 March 1999 / Published online: 19 August 1999