Photonic Crystal Waveguide Research Articles

Realizing the topological rainbow based on cavity-coupled topological edge state

Topological photonic crystals (PCs) can support topologically protected states of light. These states are immune to backscattering and can be used to construct a variety of optical devices. One promising application of topological PCs is the formation of a topological rainbow. We propose a method for realizing a topological rainbow based on cavity-coupled topological edge state (TES) in a topological photonic crystal waveguide (TPCW). This is a new type of cavity coupled TPCW, in which the cavity is located inside the waveguide at the interface between two topologically distinct PCs. We demonstrated that by varying the cavity length in the TPCW, the separation of different frequencies of topological states can be controlled. Moreover, we showed that the topological rainbow is unaffected by the cavity shape inside the TPCW. This method is more robust and versatile than previous methods, as it is unaffected by the cavity shape. This makes it possible to create topological rainbow in a wide variety of high-performance devices. For example, it could be used to build topological rainbow in integrated circuits, which would be very difficult if the cavity shape was precisely controlled. We hope our findings will inspire further research in this area and lead to the development of new and innovative optical devices.

Bound band in the continuum from merging of topological edge states and magnetic interface states

The bandwidth of topological edge states (TESs) or other waveguides in photonic crystals (PCs) are always limited by the width of bandgap. In order to break this limitation, we propose a new concept of bound bands in the continuum. Through constructing a hexagonal lattice of gyromagnetic rods and optimizing the structure parameters, we find that the TESs and magnetic interface states (MISs) can be merged to form a unique bound band. The bound band can pass through the bulk bands from the bandgap and keep perfect localization field at the interface without hybridizing with bulk states even though they are degenerated at the same frequencies.

Slow-wave-enhanced on-chip Michelson interferometer sensor.

We experimentally demonstrated slow-wave-enhanced phase and spectral sensitivity in asymmetric Michelson interferometer (MI) sensors. Compared to Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZI) that experimentally demonstrated a phase sensitivity of 84,000 rad/RIU-cm, the reflected path enhancement of the optical path length coupled with slow light enhancement with photonic crystal waveguides in on-chip slow light Michelson interferometer sensors resulted in experimentally demonstrated phase sensitivity of 277,750 rad/RIU-cm with theoretical phase sensitivity as high as 461,810 rad/RIU-cm, at the same form factor as the MZI of identical interferometer arm lengths.

Ultra-compact dual-purpose photonic crystal slab waveguide for both generating and isolating optical frequency comb

In this article, we present a novel approach to achieve a highly compact Si3N4 photonic crystal waveguide by incorporating air holes. This structure is developed in two functional applications that simultaneously perform the functions of generating optical frequency combs and demultiplexing them. The presence of air holes enhances control and precision in the dispersion engineering process. At the same time, the light conduction, based on the refractive index contrast between the core and cladding, along with the conduction occurring in the photonic bandgap region of the structure, leads to enhanced trapping of light within the core of the structure. As a result, a nonlinear coefficient of 4.2 m-1W−1 is obtained, which originates from the small effective mode area of 0.67 µm2. By employing four-wave mixing, a total of 40 comb lines are generated with a frequency spacing range of 10 GHz, 50 GHz, 60 GHz, and 100 GHz over a 6 mm length waveguide. The same waveguide structure is also developed for demultiplexing the comb lines, with four filters at the end which, individually extract the optical combs possessing wavelengths of 1317.8 nm, 1318.5 nm, 1319.2 nm, and 1319.9 nm. This demultiplexer has a Q-factor, average transmission efficiency, channel spacing, and spectral linewidth of 7209.35, 99.2 %, 0.7 nm, and 0.185 nm, respectively. The suggested design can significantly advance integrated photonic circuits, optical communications, and remote sensing applications requiring simultaneous information delivery, such as remote surgical operations and sensing, because of its substantial compactness.

Deep Learning-Based Modelling of Complex Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides

Deep Learning-Based Modelling of Complex Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides

Multimode optomechanics with a two-dimensional optomechanical crystal

Chip-scale multimode optomechanical systems have unique benefits for sensing, metrology, and quantum technologies relative to their single-mode counterparts. Slot-mode optomechanical crystals enable sideband resolution and large optomechanical couplings of a single optical cavity to two microwave-frequency mechanical modes. Still, previous implementations have been limited to nanobeam geometries, whose effective quantum cooperativity at ultralow temperatures is limited by their low thermal conductance. In this work, we design and experimentally demonstrate a two-dimensional mechanical–optical–mechanical (MOM) platform that dispersively couples a slow-light slot-guided photonic-crystal waveguide mode and two slow-sound ∼ 7 GHz phononic wire modes localized in physically distinct regions. We first demonstrate optomechanical interactions in long waveguide sections, unveiling acoustic group velocities below 800 m/s, and then move on to mode-gap adiabatic heterostructure cavities with a tailored mechanical frequency difference. Through optomechanical spectroscopy, we demonstrate optical quality factors Q ∼ 105, vacuum optomechanical coupling rates, go/2π, of 1.5 MHz, and dynamical back-action effects beyond the single-mode picture. At a larger power and adequate laser-cavity detuning, we demonstrate regenerative optomechanical oscillations involving a single mechanical mode, extending to both mechanical modes through modulation of the input laser drive at their frequency difference. This work constitutes an important advance toward engineering MOM systems with nearly degenerate mechanical modes as part of hybrid multipartite quantum systems.

Recent Progress in Photonic Crystal Devices and Their Applications: A Review

The research field of photonic crystals (PhCs) remains active on a global scale. PhCs, which are periodic optical nanostructures with the characteristics of excellent light field confinement and numerous varying degrees of freedom, provide a solid foundation for controlling the movement of light. Periodic variation of the index of refraction in two or three spatial dimensions with a substantial high-to-low ratio generates a number of intriguing phenomena and enables a variety of potential functionalities. Recently, intriguing devices based on PhCs, such as Y-branches, small-diameter bent waveguides, and miniature resonator cavities, have been proposed and extensively utilized. PhC waveguides are considered ideal candidates for a variety of applications, such as in power splitters, logic gates, sensing and communication fields, etc. These exceptional characteristics may facilitate the development of a dense integrated circuit. However, PhC technology is still relatively new and therefore requires additional effort to fully exploit it. This paper reviews the most popular and essential optical components based on PhCs, including power splitters, modulators, polarization maintaining devices, sensors, and lasers, to summarize the most recent developments relating this hot topic. These devices have superior performance and a smaller footprint compared to conventional photonic devices.

327 Gbps THz silicon photonic interconnect with sub-λ bends

Miniaturized photonic devices at the terahertz (THz) band are envisioned to bring significant enhancement to data transfer capacity and integration density for computing and future wireless communications. Broadband silicon waveguiding technology has continuously matured to advance low-loss platforms for integrated solutions. However, challenges are faced in realizing compact waveguiding platforms with different degrees of bends due to bend induced losses and mode distortion. Here, we demonstrate multiple bend incorporated photonic crystal waveguide platforms for multicarrier on-chip transmission. Our silicon interconnect device exhibits optimized bending radius to the free space wavelength ratio of 0.74, without signal distortion and transmission bandwidth of 90 GHz, representing 25.4% fractional bandwidth at 355 GHz. The broadband waveguide interconnect enables an aggregate data transfer rate of 327 Gbps by sending the complex modulated data over multiple carriers. This work augments the development of THz photonic integrated circuit for the future generations of on-chip high data rate interconnect and wireless communication, ranging from the sixth to X generation (6G to XG).

Genetic Optimization of the Y-Shaped Photonic Crystal NOT Logic Gate

The present paper is devoted to the actual problem of photonic crystal (PhC) logic gate design. The development of components for photonic digital computing systems will provide opportunities for high-efficient information processing. The use of 2D photonic crystals is one of the most promising approaches to designing interference logic gates. Photonic crystal band gap and use of lattice defects are giving opportunities for flexible control of waveguiding light. Interference logic gates of NOT, OR, AND, and XOR types based on the Y-shaped structure are well known. However, known realizations have limited energy efficiency. Earlier, a method for minimizing energy losses at the PhC waveguide bending based on genetic optimization of the PhC waveguide topology was proposed and investigated. In this paper, the genetic algorithm for optimization of the PhC interference logic gate of the NOT type was used. Optimization of the Y-shaped topology allowed for an increase in the energy efficiency of the logic gate to 95%. A description of the developed numerical procedure as well as computer simulation results are presented. The developed procedure includes the possibility of taking into account the limitations of the technology to be used for the realization of a designed 2D PhC structure.

High-efficiency ultra-fast all-optical photonic crystal diode based on the lateral-coupled nonlinear elliptical defect

An all-optical Fano-like diode featuring a nonlinear lateral elliptical micro-cavity and a reflecting column in the photonic crystal waveguide is proposed. The asymmetric micro-cavity is constructed by removing one rod and changing the shape of the lateral rod from a circle to an ellipse. A reflecting pillar is also introduced into the waveguide to construct an F–P cavity with the elliptical defect and enhance the asymmetric transmission for the incident light wave transmitting rightwards and leftwards, respectively. By designing the size of the ellipse and optimizing a reflecting rod at a suitable position, a maximum forward light transmittance of −1.14 dB and a minimum backward transmittance of −57.66 dB are achieved at the working wavelength of 1550.47 nm. The corresponding response time is about 10 ps when the intensity of the pump light beam resonant at 637 nm is 3.97 W/μm2.

Design and simulation of phase shifter based on multimode interference in photonic crystal waveguide

Design and simulation of phase shifter based on multimode interference in photonic crystal waveguide

Slow-light-enhanced on-chip 1D and 2D photonic crystal waveguide gas sensing in near-IR with an ultrahigh interaction factor

Nanophotonic waveguides hold great promise to achieve chip-scale gas sensors. However, their performance is limited by a short light path and small light–analyte overlap. To address this challenge, silicon-based, slow-light-enhanced gas-sensing techniques offer a promising approach. In this study, we experimentally investigated the slow light characteristics and gas-sensing performance of 1D and 2D photonic crystal waveguides (PCWs) in the near-IR (NIR) region. The proposed 2D PCW exhibited a high group index of up to 114, albeit with a high propagation loss. The limit of detection (LoD) for acetylene (C2H2) was 277 parts per million (ppm) for a 1 mm waveguide length and an averaging time of 0.4 s. The 1D PCW shows greater application potential compared to the 2D PCW waveguide, with an interaction factor reaching up to 288%, a comparably low propagation loss of 10 dB/cm, and an LoD of 706 ppm at 0.4 s. The measured group indices of the 2D and 1D waveguides are 104 and 16, respectively, which agree well with the simulation results.

Photonic Crystal Waveguides Composed of Hyperbolic Metamaterials for High-FOM Nano-Sensing

This study introduces an innovative integration of hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) and photonic crystals (PtCs), each possessing unique dispersion properties that effectively manipulate the propagation of light. We present a PtC waveguide consisting of arrays of HMM nanorods, denoted as HMM PtCs. This waveguide configuration enables the realization of a high figure of merit (FOM) nano-sensor. HMMs and PtCs share the same underlying physics. HMMs can generate surface plasmonics, while PtCs offer a bandgap for the waveguide. This configuration presents a novel sensing solution that directly couples surface plasmonics and waveguide modes. By modifying the refractive indices of the surrounding materials, the PtC waveguide exhibits alterations in absorption and transmission, allowing for the detection of temperature, pressure, and material variations. The refractive indices of the surrounding materials can be adjusted based on the sensor’s intended application. For instance, when the sensor is utilized for temperature sensing, thermal infrared materials can serve as the surrounding medium. As the temperature rises, the refractive index of the surrounding material changes accordingly, impacting the waveguide modes and thereby altering absorption and transmission. We utilized the finite element method to conduct numerical simulations in order to assess the absorption and transmission characteristics of the proposed system. Given that this approach involves a full electromagnetic calculation based on Maxwell’s equations, it closely approximates real-world scenarios. The employed numerical method demonstrates the remarkable performance of this proposed system, achieving a sensitivity of 324.16 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) and an impressive FOM of 469.58 RIU−1. These results signify a substantial improvement over surface plasmonic sensors, which typically exhibit limited FOMs. The direct coupling between surface plasmonics and waveguide modes provides a distinct advantage, allowing the proposed sensor to deliver a superior performance. As a consequence, the HMM PtC waveguide sensor emerges as an exceptionally appealing option for photonic sensing applications. The complexity of the proposed system presents a fabrication challenge. Nevertheless, as fabrication technology continues to advance, we anticipate that this issue can be effectively resolved. The proposed HMM PtC waveguide holds vast potential across diverse fields, including biology, medicine, and clinics, representing an exciting advancement for both industry and scientific research.

All-optical self-manipulation of light flow in on-chip topological waveguides based on synthetic dimension.

Topological photonic crystals provide a new platform for designing nanophotonic devices with robustness. Especially, all-optical devices, which use the light controlling light, based on nonlinear topological photonic crystals, have not been reported yet. In this article, we numerically investigate the robust self-manipulation of light flow in silicon topological photonic crystal waveguides based on the Kerr nonlinearity of silicon and topological edge states of photonic crystal waveguides. By adjusting the intensity of incident light at a communication wavelength of 1550 nm, the transmission path of the light flow in waveguides can be effectively controlled, and such manipulation is immune to some disturbances of nanostructures and thus shows the robustness. The results indicate that nonlinear topological photonic crystals have potential applications in on-chip integrated all-optical photonic devices.

Application of slow-light engineered chalcogenide and silicon photonic crystal waveguides for double-dimensional microwave frequency identification

Four-wave mixing effect was utilized within short dispersion-engineered slow-light silicon and AMTIR1 chalcogenide photonic crystal waveguides with group velocities of c/33 and c/23, respectively, for simultaneous measurement of frequency and power level of an RF tone over a frequency range of 0.01–80 GHz. In our numerical simulations, we considered the impact of various nonlinear phenomena that affected the system outputs. An FWM conversion efficiency of approximately − 45 dB was achieved for a 10 mW continuous-wave pump and probe in an 80 µm AMTIR1 PhC waveguide. In our system, two orthogonal and independent outputs were generated simultaneously. These independent outputs were achieved using a microwave photonics Hilbert transformer implemented using the transversal filtering approach. Since the process was inherently incoherent, the nonlinearity of the four-wave mixing did not affect the resulting signals orthogonality. The ability to simultaneously identify both the RF frequency and the power level of a microwave signal would make this system a perfect candidate for various applications, such as instantaneous frequency measurement receivers.

Photonic crystal concentric dual-microring resonator for refractive index sensing

A high-performance photonic crystal (PhC) concentric dual-microring resonator (PhCCDMRR) for refractive index sensing is proposed in this paper. It confines the energy into PhC air holes to enhance the light–matter interaction, and the increased modal area of the concentric rings improves the sensing sensitivity. The slow-light effect near the photonic bandgap results in a PhC waveguide with a maximum group index of 18.2. In the transmission spectrum, a high extinction ratio of 22 dB is achieved. This sensor obtains a refractive index (RI) sensitivity of 265 nm/RIU (RI unit) using sodium chloride solution as samples, which has promising applications in RI sensing.

Mode conversion and separation in magneto-optical photonic crystal waveguide.

We present mode conversion in different magneto-optical photonic crystal (MOPC) waveguides. An odd-mode waveguide (OMW) and an even-mode waveguide (EMW) are designed by adjusting the geometric parameters of the waveguide. These waveguides are constructed by adding a layer of yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) rods with opposing magnetic fields between an MOPC and an Al2O3 photonic crystal (PC). Due to the coupling effect caused by the middle layer of YIG rods, the OMW (or EMW) only supports an odd (or even) mode within a single-mode frequency range. Simulation results demonstrate that they can convert other modes into odd or even modes, and there is almost no power loss during the conversion. Most importantly, they are robust against backscattering from perfect electric conductors (PECs) and point defects. Based on these properties, we propose a device that can efficiently separate the odd and even modes into different ports. These results offer a novel approach to controlling the transmission modes of waveguides, which facilitates the interconnection of diverse topological magneto-optical waveguides.

Tunable topological slow-light in gyromagnetic photonic crystal waveguides with unified magnetic field.

We have proposed a tunable topological slow-light in a photonic crystal (PC) waveguide with unified magnetic field. The waveguide is constructed by bringing close two gyromagnetic photonic crystals (GPCs) with different structural parameters and introducing a row of Al2O3 rods as the coupling layer. The two GPCs are applied with a unified external static magnetic field (ESMF) instead of two opposite ESMFs. Such waveguide supports a slow-light state originated from the coupling effect of two one-way edge states on both sides of the waveguide. By simply changing the strength of ESMF, one can achieve a tunable slow-light state with large normalized delay-bandwidth product (NDBP) (0.36< NDBP <0.84). Based on these excellent properties, we further design an optical delayer with a compact structure and expansibility simultaneously. This unique topological slow-light state with simple unified magnetic condition, high maneuverability and strong immunity to defects holds promise for many fields such as signal processing, optical modulation, and the design of various slow-light devices.

Dynamic modulation of localized defect states in multichannel photonic crystal waveguides

The localized defect states (LDS) can usually be obtained by introducing dielectric defects or dielectric disorder into photonic crystals. Here, we introduce a new method to dynamically generate LDS, which can be realized in multichannel photonic crystal waveguides by modulating the position, polarization and phase of multiple dipole sources. We propose a general theory to obtain the localization conditions. When multiple dipole sources satisfy the localization condition, LDS can be generated. Unlike the traditional LDS, the size and position of the LDS in our method can be adjusted by the control of the dipole sources. In addition, the conversion of LDS and waveguide mode can be realized easily by the modulation of the dipole sources.

Valley photonic crystal waveguides fabricated with CMOS-compatible process

Valley photonic crystal (VPhC) waveguides have attracted much attention because of their ability to enable robust light propagation against sharp bends. However, their demonstration using a CMOS-compatible process suitable for mass production has not yet been reported at the telecom wavelengths. Here, by tailoring the photomask to suppress the optical proximity effect, VPhC patterns comprising equilateral triangular holes were successfully fabricated using photolithography. We optically characterized the fabricated VPhC devices using microscopic optics with NIR imaging. For comparison, we also fabricated and characterized line-defect W1 PhC waveguides, in which the transmission intensities decreased at some regions within the operating bandwidth when sharp turns were introduced into the waveguide. In contrast, the developed VPhC waveguides can robustly propagate light around the C-band telecommunication wavelengths, even in the presence of sharp bends. Our results highlight the potential of VPhC waveguides as an interconnection technology in silicon topological photonic ICs.