Subwavelength silicon photonics for on-chip mode-manipulation

On-chip mode-manipulation is one of the most important physical fundamentals for many photonic integrated devices and circuits. In the past years, great progresses have been achieved on subwavelength silicon photonics for on-chip mode-manipulation by introducing special subwavelength photonic waveguides. Among them, there are two popular waveguide structures available. One is silicon hybrid plasmonic waveguides (HPWGs) and the other one is silicon subwavelength-structured waveguides (SSWGs). In this paper, we focus on subwavelength silicon photonic devices and the applications with the manipulation of the effective indices, the modal field profiles, the mode dispersion, as well as the birefringence. First, a review is given about subwavelength silicon photonics for the fundamental-mode manipulation, including high-performance polarization-handling devices, efficient mode converters for chip-fiber edge-coupling, and ultra-broadband power splitters. Second, a review is given about subwavelength silicon photonics for the higher-order-mode manipulation, including multimode converters, multimode waveguide bends, and multimode waveguide crossing. Finally, some emerging applications of subwavelength silicon photonics for on-chip mode-manipulation are discussed.

Nanowire Oligomer Waveguide Modes towards Reduced Lasing Threshold

Semiconductor nanowires offer a promising route of realizing nanolasers for the next generation of chip-scale optoelectronics and photonics applications. Established fabrication methods can produce vertical semiconductor nanowires which can themselves act both as a gain medium and as a Fabry–Pérot cavity for feedback. The lasing threshold in such nanowire lasers is affected by the modal confinement factor and end facet reflectivities, of which the substrate end reflectivity tends to be limited due to small refractive index contrast between the nanowire and substrate. These modal properties, however, also depend strongly on the modal field profiles. In this work, we use numerical simulations to investigate waveguide modes in vertical nanowire oligomers (that is, arrangements of few vertical nanowires close to each other) and their modal properties compared to single nanowire monomers. We solve for the oligomer waveguide eigenmodes which are understood as arising from interaction of monomer modes and further compute the reflectivity of these modes at the end facets of the nanowires. We consider either the nanowires or an additional coating layer as the gain medium. We show that both types of oligomers can exhibit modes with modal properties leading to reduced lasing threshold and also give directions for further research on the topic.

Influence of Kerr nonlinearity on group delay and modal dispersion parameters of single-mode graded index fibers: evaluation by a simple but accurate method

This paper reports simple but accurate analytical expressions of group delay and modal dispersion parameters for single-mode graded index fibers over a wide range of V numbers. The formulation employs power series expression for the fundamental modal field of graded index fiber derived by Chebyshev formalism. Choosing some typical step, parabolic and triangular index fibers as examples in our present study, we use the prescribed formulations to estimate group delay and modal dispersion parameters of those fibers both in presence and absence of Kerr nonlinearity. Iterative technique is applied for prediction of concerned propagation parameters in presence of Kerr nonlinearity. Our results show excellent agreement with the numerical exact ones both in absence and presence of Kerr nonlinearity. The exact results in case of Kerr nonlinearity are obtained using cumbersome finite element method. The execution of our accurate formalism involves little computation and is thus user friendly for technologists and researchers working in the field of nonlinear optical engineering.

Prediction of First Higher Order Modal Field for Graded Index Fiber in Presence of Kerr Nonlinearity

We report evaluation of first higher order modal field for dual mode optical fiber having step and parabolic index profiles. The study is carried out both in absence as well as in presence of Kerr nonlinearity. The analysis is based on a simple iterative method involving Chebyshev formalism. Taking some typical step- and parabolic-index fibers as examples, we show that our results agree excellently with the exact results which can be obtained by applying rigorous methods. Thus, our simple formalism stands the merit of being considered as an accurate alternative to the existing cumbersome methods. The prescribed formalism provides scope for accurate estimation of different propagation parameters associated with first higher order mode in such kinds of fibers in presence of Kerr nonlinearity. The execution of formalism being user friendly, it will be beneficial to the system engineers working in the field of optical technology.

Dispersionless one-way slow wave with large delay bandwidth product at the edge of gyromagnetic photonic crystal

We theoretically, demonstrate a high delay bandwidth product (DBP) and zero group velocity dispersion (GVD) in a two-dimensional one-way slow light waveguide. The waveguide consists of gyromagnetic photonic crystal (GMPC) and a cladding formed by silicon photonic crystal. At the edge of the band, weak interactions (“semi-anticrossing”) between the chiral edge state (CES) mode and the mode localized at the surface of cladding are observed. The group velocity of CES wave can be tuned by adjusting the modal field distribution. As a result, an extraordinarily large value of normalized DBP of 0.63 with a group index of 10.32 and a bandwidth ranging from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] is obtained. This result may contribute to one-way slow light applications in information communication systems.

Prediction of Fundamental Modal Field for Graded Index Fiber in the Presence of Kerr Nonlinearity

The power series formulation for modal field of single-mode graded index fibers by Chebyshev technique has worked excellently in predicting accurately different propagation characteristics in simple fashion. Here we develop a simple iterative method involving Chebyshev formalism to predict the modal field of single-mode graded index fiber in the presence of Kerr-type nonlinearity. Taking step and parabolic index fibers as typical examples, we show that our results match excellently with the available exact results obtained vigorously. Thus, the reported technique can be considered as an accurate alternative to the existing cumbersome techniques. Accordingly, this formalism will be beneficial to the technologies for evaluation of modal noise in single-mode Kerr-type nonlinear graded index fibers.

A Novel and Simple Formalism for Study of Effect of Kerr Nonlinearity on Petermann I and II Spot Sizes of Single-Mode-Graded Index Fiber

We present investigation of Petermann I and II spot sizes in the presence of Kerr nonlinearity. Our study is based on the simple power series formulation for fundamental modal field of single-mode-graded index fiber developed by Chebyshev formalism. Based on the said power series expression in the absence of nonlinearity, analytical expressions of the said spot sizes can be prescribed. Using the analytical expressions of the said spot sizes in the absence of nonlinearity, we apply iterative technique in order to predict the said propagation characteristics in presence of Kerr nonlinearity. In this context, we choose some typical single-mode step and parabolic index fibers. We show that the our results agree excellently with the exact results which can be obtained by using rigorous finite-element technique. This leads to verification of accuracy of our simple technique. Moreover, evaluation of the concerned parameters by our formalism involves little computation. Thus, our method provides an accurate but simple alternative to the existing rigorous methods in this context. Accordingly, this novel and simple formalism will prove user friendly to the system engineers in the field non linear optics.