Cascaded Mode Converter Integrated Optics
Abstract
The longitudinal modes of traditional resonators are determined by the requirement that electromagnetic field reproduces itself in amplitude and phase after a cavity roundtrip. It was discovered recently by the PI s group that a combination of mode converters, designed as suitable Bragg reflectors, makes it possible for a wave to return to itself after several physical roundtrips in the resonator. The innovative mechanism of cascaded-mode conversion in an integrated photonics platform allows for the manipulation of spectral, temporal, and spatial properties in unprecedented ways. The advances stemming from this research will reshape the landscape of optical technology, opening up new avenues for applications in telecommunications, lasers, and a wide range of optical devices, while also addressing the increasing demand for more efficient, compact, and versatile optical systems. The goal of this project is to delve deeper into the concept of cascaded-mode optics and explore theoretically and experimentally its applicability to not only resonators but also to integrated optics, both linear and nonlinear, by focusing on key research areas that promise to unlock the full potential of the cascaded-mode mechanism. Mode converters capable of simultaneously converting different modes while maintaining a compact form factor, such as converters that enable efficient coupling between different spatial profiles in integrated photonic circuits will be explored. Integrated, linear resonators with arbitrary transmission spectra, where the spacing between resonances changes throughout the spectrum will be designed and developed. Nonlinear interactions within the resonator will be investigated to enable new functionalities like directionally dependent phase matching, wavelength conversion, and optical switching. The PI s team will also investigate the behavior and properties of cascaded-mode resonators within a ring geometry, leading to enhanced control over light propagation and confinement, and design cascaded-mode lasers that exhibit improved performance characteristics, such as tunable output wavelengths and narrow linewidths.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310699
Entities
People
- Federico Capasso
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- President and Fellows of Harvard College
- United States Air Force