Design and characteristics of reflectivity tunable mirror with MZI and loop waveguide on SOI

To achieve a reconfigurable photonic integrated circuit with active elements, we proposed a reflectivity tunable mirror constructed using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with a micro heater and loop waveguide on a silicon photonics platform. In this paper, the principle of the operation, design, fabrication, and measurement results of the mirror are presented. In theory, the phase shift dependence of the mirror relies on the coupling coefficient of the directional couplers of the MZI. When the coupling coefficient κ2 was 0.5 and 0.15, the reflection could be turned on and off with a phase shift of π/2 and π, respectively. The reflection power of the fabricated mirror on the silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate was changed by more than 20 dB by a phase shift. In addition, it was demonstrated that the phase shift dependence of the mirror changes with the coupling coefficient of the fabricated devices.

Features of the construction of photonic integrated circuits for communication systems

The article discusses the main methods of signal processing in a coherent optical transport network based on a photonic integrated circuit to increase the speed and the onset of the terabit era in optical transport networks, cloud and high-performance computing systems. The properties and operational characteristics of the main material platforms of photonic integrated circuits and their future technological units are considered.

Broadband Terahertz Photonic Integrated Circuit with Integrated Active Photonic Devices

Present-day photonic terahertz (100 GHz–10 THz) systems offer dynamic ranges beyond 100 dB and frequency coverage beyond 4 THz. They yet predominantly employ free-space Terahertz propagation, lacking integration depth and miniaturisation capabilities without sacrificing their extreme frequency coverage. In this work, we present a high resistivity silicon-on-insulator-based multimodal waveguide topology including active components (e.g., THz receivers) as well as passive components (couplers/splitters, bends, resonators) investigated over a frequency range of 0.5–1.6 THz. The waveguides have a single mode bandwidth between 0.5–0.75 THz; however, above 1 THz, these waveguides can be operated in the overmoded regime offering lower loss than commonly implemented hollow metal waveguides, operated in the fundamental mode. Supported by quartz and polyethylene substrates, the platform for Terahertz photonic integrated circuits (Tera-PICs) is mechanically stable and easily integrable. Additionally, we demonstrate several key components for Tera-PICs: low loss bends with radii ∼2 mm, a Vivaldi antenna-based efficient near-field coupling to active devices, a 3-dB splitter and a filter based on a whispering gallery mode resonator.

Focusing grating couplers for radio-frequency surface ion traps

We present a photonic integrated circuit design with multiple focusing grating couplers that can be used in a surface ion trap. This system allows transferring laser radiation from different laser sources to the ion trapped 240 μm above the surface for further manipulations.

Modern Types of Axicons: New Functions and Applications

Axicon is a versatile optical element for forming a zero-order Bessel beam, including high-power laser radiation schemes. Nevertheless, it has drawbacks such as the produced beam’s parameters being dependent on a particular element, the output beam’s intensity distribution being dependent on the quality of element manufacturing, and uneven axial intensity distribution. To address these issues, extensive research has been undertaken to develop nondiffracting beams using a variety of advanced techniques. We looked at four different and special approaches for creating nondiffracting beams in this article. Diffractive axicons, meta-axicons-flat optics, spatial light modulators, and photonic integrated circuit-based axicons are among these approaches. Lately, there has been noteworthy curiosity in reducing the thickness and weight of axicons by exploiting diffraction. Meta-axicons, which are ultrathin flat optical elements made up of metasurfaces built up of arrays of subwavelength optical antennas, are one way to address such needs. In addition, when compared to their traditional refractive and diffractive equivalents, meta-axicons have a number of distinguishing advantages, including aberration correction, active tunability, and semi-transparency. This paper is not intended to be a critique of any method. We have outlined the most recent advancements in this field and let readers determine which approach best meets their needs based on the ease of fabrication and utilization. Moreover, one section is devoted to applications of axicons utilized as sensors of optical properties of devices and elements as well as singular beams states and wavefront features.