Monolithic Waveguide Geometry for Voltage Controlled Switching and Routing of Optical Beams Based on Waveguide-Resonator Coupling

摘要

Precise control of coupling between waveguides and resonant cavities enables the realization of several novel and improved devices, including low- power modulators, switches, filters, and wavelength routers. The goal of this program is to theoretically and experimentally evaluate and develop schemes for efficient, controlled coupling in optical polymer and semiconductor devices. Chip-based devices should be inexpensive, producible, and have the potential to be miniaturized and integrated with electronics. Technological progress under this grant has included the development and optimization of a soft-lithography technique for replica molding of optical polymer devices, and a suite of III-V semiconductor fabrication techniques suitable for electrically driven structures. Optical polymer and semiconductor material systems have been employed to realize a large number of novel devices, including high-contrast tunable optical filters, low voltage Mach-Zehnder interferometers, and a compact, low power racetrack resonator switch based on controlled waveguide- resonator coupling. The goals of the project will be accomplished in four phases, as follows: (1) modeling, fabrication, and testing of waveguides and ring resonators in optical polymers, indium phosphide (InP) based semiconductors, and silicon on insulator (SOI) substrates; (2) demonstrate coupling between waveguides and microresonators; (3) demonstrate control of coupling; and (4) optimize working parts and final demonstration.