Search Results (15)

Micro-racetrack resonators have become one of the key components for realizing signal processing, generation, and integration in microwave photonics, owing to their high Q factor, compact footprint, and tunability. However, most of the reported micro-racetrack resonators are confined to the single-mode regime. In this paper, we designed an ultra-compact multimode micro-racetrack resonator (MMRR) based on shape-optimized multimode waveguide bends (MWBs). Cubic spline curves were used to represent the MWB boundary and adjoint methods were utilized for inverse optimization, achieving an effective radius of 8 μm. Asymmetric directional couplers (ADCs) were designed to independently couple three modes into a multimode micro-racetrack, according to phase-matching conditions and transmission analysis. The MMRR was successfully fabricated on a commercial platform using a 193 nm dry lithography process. The device exhibited high loaded Q factors of 2.3 × 10⁵, 4.1 × 10⁴, and 2.9 × 10⁴, and large free spectral ranges (FSRs) of 5.4, 4.7, and 4.2 nm for ${\mathrm{TE}}_0$, ${\mathrm{TE}}_1$, and ${\mathrm{TE}}_2$ modes, with about a 19 × 55 μm² footprint. Full article

Light detection and ranging (Lidar) is a key enabling technology for autonomous vehicles and drones. Its emerging implementations are based on photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and optical phased arrays (OPAs). In this work, we introduce a novel approach to the design of OPA Lidar antennas based on Si₃N₄ grating couplers. The well-established TriPleX platform and the asymmetric double stripe waveguide geometry with full etching are employed, ensuring low complexity and simple fabrication combined with the low-loss advantages of the platform. The design study aims to optimize the performance of the grating coupler-based radiators as well as the OPA, thus enhancing the overall capabilities of Si₃N₄-based Lidar. Uniform and non-uniform grating structures are considered, achieving θ and φ angle divergences of 0.9° and 32° and 0.54° and 25.41°, respectively. Also, wavelength sensitivity of 7°/100 nm is achieved. Lastly, the fundamental OPA parameters are investigated, and 35 dBi of peak directivity is achieved for an eight-element OPA. Full article

A novel chitosan (CS) functionalized optical fiber sensor with a bullet-shaped hollow cavity was proposed in this work for the trace concentration of Pb²⁺ ion detection in the water environment. The sensor is an optical fiber Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI), which consists of a sequentially spliced bullet-shaped hollow-core fiber (HCF), thin-core fiber, and another piece of spliced bullet-shaped HCF. The hollow-core fiber is caused to collapse by adjusting the amount of discharge to form a tapered hollow cavity with asymmetric end faces. The bullet-like hollow cavities act as beam expanders and couplers for optical fiber sensors, which were symmetrically spliced at both ends of a section of thin core fiber. The simulation and experiments show that the bullet-like hollow-core tapered cavity excites more cladding modes and is more sensitive to variation in the external environment than the planar and spherical cavities. The ion-imprinted chitosan (IIP-CS) film was fabricated with Pb²⁺ ion as a template and uniformly coated on the surface for specific recognition of Pb²⁺. Experimental verification confirms that the developed sensor can achieve high-sensitivity Pb²⁺ ion detection, with a sensitivity of up to −12.68 pm/ppm and a minimum Pb²⁺ ion detection concentration of 5.44 ppb Meanwhile, the sensor shows excellent selectivity, repeatability, and stability in the ion detection process, which has huge potential in the direction of heavy metal ion detection in the future. Full article

A multi-channel mode-division multiplexing based on a chalcogenide-lithium niobate platform using chalcogenide films with adjustable refractive index is proposed, with the aim of overcoming issues with narrow bandwidth and large crosstalk in conventional multiplexers. An asymmetric directional coupler, employing chalcogenide-based thin-film modulation, was designed to realize the multiplexing and separation of TE₁, TE₂, and TE₃ modes. Simulations show that the device is capable of obtaining an insertion loss of between 0.03 dB and 0.7 dB and a crosstalk of between −21.66 dB and −28.71 dB at 1550 nm. The crosstalk of the TE₁, TE₂, and TE₃ modes is below −20.1 dB when accessing the waveguide output port in the 1500–1600 nm band. The proposed multiplexer is a promising approach to enhance the transmission capability of thin-film lithium-niobate-integrated optical paths. Full article

We put forward and demonstrate a silicon photonics (SiPh)-based mode division multiplexed (MDM) optical power splitter that supports transverse-electric (TE) single-mode, dual-mode, and triple-mode (i.e., TE₀, TE₁, and TE₂). An optical power splitter is needed for optical signal distribution and routing in optical interconnects. However, a traditional optical splitter only divides the power of the input optical signal. This means the same data information is received at all the output ports of the optical splitter. The powers at different output ports may change depending on the splitting ratio of the optical splitter. The main contributions of our proposed optical splitter are: (i) Different data information is received at different output ports of the optical splitter via the utilization of NOMA. By adjusting the power ratios of different channels in the digital domain (i.e., via software control) at the Tx, different channel data information can be received at different output ports of the splitter. It can increase the flexibility of optical signal distribution and routing. (ii) Besides, the proposed optical splitter can support the fundamental TE₀ mode and the higher modes TE₁, TE₂, etc. Supporting mode-division multiplexing and multi-mode operation are important for future optical interconnects since the number of port counts is limited by the chip size. This can significantly increase the capacity besides wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and spatial division multiplexing (SDM). The integrated SiPh MDM optical power splitter consists of a mode up-conversion section implemented by asymmetric directional couplers (ADCs) and a Y-branch structure for MDM power distribution. Here, we also propose and discuss the use of the Genetic algorithm (GA) for the MDM optical power splitter parameter optimization. Finally, to provide adjustable data rates at different output ports after the MDM optical power splitter, non-orthogonal multiple access—orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (NOMA-OFDM) is also employed. Experimental results validate that, in three modes (TE₀, TE₁, and TE₂), user-1 and user-2 achieve data rates of (user-1: greater than 22 Gbit/s; user-2: greater than 12 Gbit/s) and (user-1: greater than 12 Gbit/s; user-2: 24 Gbit/s), respectively, at power-ratio (PR) = 2.0 or 3.0. Each channel meets the hard-decision forward-error-correction (HD-FEC, i.e., BER = 3.8 × 10⁻³) threshold. The proposed method allows flexible data rate allocation for multiple users for optical interconnects and system-on-chip networks. Full article

On-chip polarization control is in high demand for novel integrated photonic applications such as polarization division multiplexing and quantum communications. However, due to the sensitive scaling of the device dimension with wavelength and the visible-light absorption properties, traditional passive silicon photonic devices with asymmetric waveguide structures cannot achieve polarization control at visible wavelengths. In this paper, a new polarization-splitting mechanism based on energy distributions of the fundamental polarized modes in the r-TiO₂ ridge waveguide is investigated. The bending loss for different bending radii and the optical coupling properties of the fundamental modes in different r-TiO₂ ridge waveguide configurations are analyzed. In particular, a polarization splitter with a high extinction ratio operating at visible wavelengths based on directional couplers (DCs) in the r-TiO₂ ridge waveguide is proposed. Polarization-selective filters based on micro-ring resonators (MRRs) with resonances of only TE or TM polarizations are designed and operated. Our results show that polarization-splitters for visible wavelengths with a high extinction ratio in DC or MRR configurations can be achieved with a simple r-TiO₂ ridge waveguide structure. Full article

This new sensor design provides good volume sensitivity (around 1600 nm/RIU) via collinear diffraction by the asymmetric grating placed in the waveguide vicinity. It provides the mode transformation between the fundamental TE₀ and the first TE₁ modes of the silicon wire (0.22 μm by a 0.580 μm cross-section) in the water environment. In order to provide the wavelength interrogation with a better extinction ratio for the measuring signal, the grating design is incorporated with the mode filter/demultiplexer. It selects, by the compact directional coupler (maximum 4 μm wide and 14 μm long), only the first guided mode (close to the cutoff) and transmits it with small excess loss (about −0.5 dB) to the fundamental TE₀ mode of the neighboring single mode silicon wire, having variable curvature and width ranging from 0.26 μm to 0.45 μm. At the same time, the parasitic crosstalk of the input TE₀ mode is below −42 dB, and that provides the option of simple and accurate wavelength sensor interrogation. The environment index is measured by the spectral peak position of the transmitted TE₀ mode power in the output single mode silicon wire waveguide of the directional coupler. This type of optical sensor is of high sensitivity (iLOD~ 2.1 × 10⁻⁴ RIU for taking into account the water absorption at 1550 nm) and could be manufactured by modern technology and a single-step etching process. Full article

An on-chip 64-channel hybrid (de)multiplexer for wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) and mode-division multiplexing (MDM) is designed and demonstrated on a 220 nm SOI platform for the demands of large capacity optical interconnections. The designed hybrid (de)multiplexer includes a 4-channel mode (de)multiplexer and 16-channel wavelength-division (de)multiplexers. The mode (de)multiplexer is comprised of cascaded asymmetric directional couplers supporting coupling between fundamental TE mode and higher-order modes with low crosstalks in a wide wavelength range. The wavelength-division (de)multiplexers consist of two bi-directional micro-ring resonator arrays for four 16-channel WDM signals. Micro-heaters are placed on the micro-resonators for thermal tuning. According to the experimental results, the excess loss is <3.9 dB in one free spectral range from 1522 nm to 1552 nm and <5.6 dB in three free spectral ranges from 1493 nm to 1583 nm. The intermode crosstalks are −23.2 dB to −33.2 dB, and the isolations between adjacent and nonadjacent wavelength channels are about −17.1 dB and −22.3 dB, respectively. The thermal tuning efficiency is ∼2.22 mW/nm over one free spectral range. Full article

In this work, we propose a mode-conversion-based chirped Bragg grating on thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN). The device is mainly composed of a 4.7-mm long chirped asymmetric Bragg grating and an adiabatic directional coupler (ADC). The mode conversion introduced by the ADC allows the chirped Bragg grating operates in reflection without using an off-chip circulator. The proposed device has experimentally achieved a total time delay of 73.4 ps over an operating bandwidth of 15 nm. This mode-conversion-based chirped Bragg grating shows excellent compatibility with other devices on TFLN, making it suitable in monolithically integrated microwave photonics, sensing, and optical communication systems. Full article

We propose a compact, high extinction ratio, and low-loss polarization beam splitter (PBS) on a lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) platform, based on an asymmetrical directional coupler and using a silicon nitride nanowire assisted waveguide (WG) and a grooved WG. By properly designing ${\mathrm{Si}}_3{\mathrm{N}}_4$ nanowires and grooved LN WGs, TE polarization meets the phase matching condition, while significant mismatching exists for TM polarization. Numerical simulations show that the PBS has an ultra-high extinction ratio (ER) of ${\mathrm{TE}}_0$ and ${\mathrm{TM}}_0$ (larger than 40 dB and 50 dB, respectively). The device extinction ratios are larger than 10 dB over 100 nm wavelength ranges. Moreover, the device has an ultra-low insertion loss (IL less than 0.05 dB) at the wavelength of 1550 nm and maintains ILs less than 0.4 dB over 100 nm wavelength ranges. Full article

A novel all-pass slot microring resonator (SMRR), intended for label-free optical biosensing based on silicon-on-insulator platforms, is proposed. The sensor consists of a bent asymmetric directional coupler and an asymmetric-slot microring waveguide. The appropriate slot width of 140 nm is identified by the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (3D-FDTD) method for better light–matter interaction in applications. According to numerical calculations, the SMRR sensor with a footprint of 10 µm × 10 µm has a concentration sensitivity of 725.71 pm/% for sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. The corresponding refractive index sensitivity is 403 nm/RIU (refractive index unit), which is approximately six times greater than that of traditional microring resonator sensors. A low detection limit of 0.129% is also achieved. This SMRR is an excellent candidate for label-free optical biosensors due to its compact structure and excellent sensing capability. Full article

An optical switch based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology is proposed that works in the C-band and switches by amorphous (Am) to crystalline (Cr) and Cr-to-Am phase transitions. The optical switch integrates the functions of polarization beam splitting and mode conversion, and consists of two asymmetric directional couplers (ADCs). The TM₀ mode is converted to the TM₁ mode through an asymmetric coupler to achieve the polarization splitting of the TM₀ mode and TE₀ mode. The output of the TE₀ mode is then controlled by Ge₂Sb₂Se₄Te₁ (GSST). When the TE₀ mode is input and the wavelength is 1550 nm, the insertion loss (IL) is lower than 0.62 dB and the crosstalk (CT) is lower than −9.88 dB for a directional coupler loaded with GSST that realizes the optical switch function in both amorphous and crystalline GSST. The extinction ratio (ER) of the two waveguides of the directional coupler is lower than −11.40 dB, simultaneously. When the TM₀ mode is input and the wavelength is 1550 nm, the IL is lower than 0.62 dB for a directional coupler loaded without GSST. Full article

The main challenge faced by RF energy harvesting systems is to supply relatively small electrical power to wireless sensor devices using microwaves. The solution is to implement a new device in a circularly polarized rectenna with circular polarization sensitivity integrated with a thin-film solar cell. Its dual-feed antennas are connected to a 2 × 4 asymmetric hybrid coupler and a multi-stage voltage doubler rectifier circuit. This configuration has a 2 × 4 asymmetric hybrid coupler used to produce 4 outputs with a 90-degree waveform phase difference. The two ports can independently be connected to the wireless sensor circuit: radiofrequency harvesting of hybrid energy solar and information equipment can be carried out with these two antennas. The Dual-Feed circular patch antenna has a two-port bandwidth of 137 MHz below −15 dB and an axial ratio of less than 3 dB, with a center frequency of 2.4 GHz with directional radiation and a high gain of 8.23 dB. It can be sensitive to arbitrary polarization of the input voltage multiplier waveform to overcome uncertainty in empirical communication environments. A parallel structure is arranged with a thin film solar cell integration from the transmitter with an output voltage of 1.3297 V with a compact composition and RF energy. The importance of adopting a wireless sensor strategy with circular polarization sensitivity and integrated RF solar energy harvesting rather than a single source method makes this research a significant novelty by optimizing the analysis of multiple wireless sensor signal access. Full article

We investigate modulational instability (MI) in asymmetric dual-core nonlinear directional couplers incorporating the effects of the differences in effective mode areas and group velocity dispersions, as well as phase- and group-velocity mismatches. Using coupled-mode equations for this system, we identify MI conditions from the linearization with respect to small perturbations. First, we compare the MI spectra of the asymmetric system and its symmetric counterpart in the case of the anomalous group-velocity dispersion (GVD). In particular, it is demonstrated that the increase of the inter-core linear-coupling coefficient leads to a reduction of the MI gain spectrum in the asymmetric coupler. The analysis is extended for the asymmetric system in the normal-GVD regime, where the coupling induces and controls the MI, as well as for the system with opposite GVD signs in the two cores. Following the analytical consideration of the MI, numerical simulations are carried out to explore nonlinear development of the MI, revealing the generation of periodic chains of localized peaks with growing amplitudes, which may transform into arrays of solitons. Full article

A guided-wave chemical sensor for the detection of environmental pollutants or biochemical substances has been designed. The sensor is based on an asymmetric directional coupler employing slot optical waveguides. The use of a nanometer guiding structure where optical mode is confined in a low-index region permits a very compact sensor (device area about 1200 μm²) to be realized, having the minimum detectable refractive index change as low as 10^-5. Silicon-on-Insulator technology has been assumed in sensor design and a very accurate modelling procedure based on Finite Element Method and Coupled Mode Theory has been pointed out. Sensor design and optimization have allowed a very good trade-off between device length and sensitivity. Expected device sensitivity to glucose concentration change in an aqueous solution is of the order of 0.1 g/L. Full article