Abstract

Integrated photonics has the potential to revolutionize optical systems by achieving drastic reductions in their size, weight and power. Remote spectroscopy, free-space communications and high-speed telecommunications are critical applications that would benefit directly from these advancements. However, many such applications require extremely wide spectral bandwidths, leading to significant challenges in their integration. The choice of integrated platform influences the optical transparency and functionality which can be ultimately achieved. In this work, several new platforms and technologies have been developed to meet these needs. First, the silicon-on-lithium-niobate (SiLN) platform is discussed, on which the first compact, integrated electro-optic modulator in the mid-infrared has been demonstrated. Next, results are shown in the development of the all-silicon-optical-platform (ASOP), an ultra-stable suspended membrane approach which offers broad optical transparency from 1.2 to 8.5 um and enables efficient nonlinear frequency conversion in the mid-IR. This fabrication approach is then taken further with "anchored-membrane waveguides," (T-Guides) enabling single-mode and single-polarization waveguiding over a span exceeding 1.27 octaves. Afterward, a new photonic technology enabling integrated polarization beam-splitters and polarizers over unprecedented bandwidths is introduced, called topographically anisotropic photonics (TAP). Next, results on high-performance microphotonic chalcogenide glass waveguides are presented. Finally, several integrated photonics concepts suitable for further work will be discussed, such as augmentations to T-Guides and a novel technique for quasi-phase-matching.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2016

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Fathpour, Sasan

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Department

Optics and Photonics

Degree Program

Optics and Photonics

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0006447

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0006447

Language

English

Release Date

December 2016

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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Optics Commons

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