Dmitry A. Kozak

Trace gas absorption spectroscopy using functionalized microring resonators

We detect trace gases at parts-per-billion levels using evanescent-field absorption spectroscopy in silicon nitride microring resonators coated with a functionalized sorbent polymer. An analysis of the microring resonance line shapes enables a measurement of the differential absorption spectra for a number of vapor-phase analytes. The spectra are obtained at the near-infrared overtone of OH-stretch resonance, which provides information about the toxicity of the analyte vapor.

Trace gas Raman spectroscopy using functionalized waveguides

Weak scattering and short optical interaction lengths have, until this work, prevented the observation of trace gas Raman spectra using photonic integrated circuitry. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool, and its implementation using chip-scale waveguide devices represents a critical step toward trace gas detection and identification in small handheld systems. Here, we report the first Raman scattering measurements of trace gases using integrated nanophotonic waveguides. These measurements were made possible using highly evanescent rib waveguides functionalized with a thin cladding layer designed to reversibly sorb organophosphonates and other hazardous chemical species. Raman spectra were collected using 9.6 mm-long waveguides exposed to ambient trace concentrations of ethyl acetate, methyl salicylate, and dimethyl sulfoxide with one-sigma limits of detection in 100 s integration times equal to 600 ppm, 360 ppb, and 7.6 ppb, respectively. Our analysis shows that the functionalized waveguide Raman efficiency can be enhanced by over nine orders of magnitude compared to traditional micro-Raman spectroscopy, paving the way toward a sensitive, low-cost, miniature, spectroscopy-based trace gas sensor inherently suitable for foundry-level photonic integrated circuit manufacturing.

An Optomechanical Transducer Platform for Evanescent Field Displacement Sensing

We demonstrate an integrated waveguide platform and optomechanical transduction circuit for chip-scale displacement sensing. The waveguide consists of a thin silicon nitride core layer, a thick silicon oxide bottom cladding, and a top air cladding with a large evanescent field at the waveguide surface. Although the structures feature subwavelength (<;λ/4ncore) vertical confinement, they are fabrication tolerant with micrometer-scale lateral features. We demonstrate via simulations and measurements that the waveguides exhibit a low confinement with a maximized evanescent field as well as an effective index only slightly larger than the SiO2 bottom cladding index. Despite the low confinement, the waveguide platform enables complex photonic circuits. As a demonstration of this technology, we fabricate and characterize an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer for chip-scale displacement sensing. A micrometer-scale fiber taper interacts with the waveguides evanescent field and induces a phase shift proportional to displacement, thereby acting as an optomechanical transducer. We analyze the responsivity, displacement limit of detection, and strength of optomechanical coupling for high-resolution sensing. An outlook toward other applications is also given.

Broadband opto-electro-mechanical effective refractive index tuning on a chip

Photonic integrated circuits have enabled progressively active functionality in compact devices with the potential for large-scale integration. To date the lowest loss photonic circuits are achieved with silica or silicon nitride-based platforms. However, these materials generally lack reconfigurability. In this work we present a platform for achieving active functionality in any dielectric waveguide via large-scale opto-electro-mechanical tuning of the effective refractive index (Δneff≈0.01-0.1) and phase (Δϕ>2π). A suspended microbridge weakly interacts with the evanescent field of a low-mode confinement waveguide to tune the effective refractive index and phase with minimal loss. Metal-coated bridges enable electrostatic actuation to displace the microbridge to dynamically tune nEFF. In a second implementation we place a non-metallized dielectric microbridge in a gradient electric field to achieve actuation and tuning. Both approaches are broadband, universally applicable to any waveguide, and pave the way for adding active functionality to many passive optical materials.

Design and fabrication of Fabry–Perot filters for infrared hyperspectral imagers

Abstract. Hyperspectral infrared imagers are of great interest in applications requiring remote identification of complex chemical agents. The combination of mercury cadmium telluride detectors and Fabry–Perot filters (FPFs) is highly desirable for hyperspectral detection over a broad wavelength range. The geometries of distributed Bragg reflector (DBR)-based tunable FPFs are modeled to achieve a desired spectral resolution and wavelength range. Additionally, acceptable fabrication tolerances are determined by modeling the spectral performance of the FPFs as a function of DBR surface roughness and membrane curvature. These fabrication nonidealities are then mitigated by developing an optimized DBR process flow yielding high-performance FPF cavities suitable for integration with hyperspectral imagers.

Modal characterization of nanophotonic waveguides for atom trapping

Nanophotonic waveguides are a promising platform to trap cold atoms using red-and blue-detuned evanescent-field optical dipole forces. The asymmetric structure of integrated waveguides leads to a large birefringence that is not encountered in cylindrically symmetric optical nanofibers. We have studied both theoretically and experimentally the modal properties and suitability of silicon nitride rib waveguides for cold-atom trapping. The dependence of the modal effective index on the rib width is explored experimentally by measuring beat lengths between propagating modes. These measurements are made using a novel spatial Fourier analysis technique based on conventional far-field imaging of elastic scattering from the waveguide. We find that the beat length between the lowest order TE00 and TM00 modes is approximately 5µm, in excellent agreement with numerical calculations. We propose to take advantage of this birefringence and mode structure to create novel, one-dimensional periodic trapping potentials for atoms within the evanescent field of the waveguide.

Microwave Phase Shifting Using Coherent Photonic Integrated Circuits

An optically coherent silicon-on-insulator circuit for microwave phase shifting is presented. Such photonic integrated circuits provide advantages over more-complicated incoherent methods and coherent techniques implemented in bulk fiber-optic components. The circuit is described theoretically with supporting experimental data. Continuous microwave phase control at 49 GHz is demonstrated, with an electrical power to achieve 2π phase shift of 80 mW and a 3-dB phase modulation bandwidth of 170 kHz.

Nanophotonic waveguides for chip-scale raman spectroscopy: Theoretical considerations

Highly evanescent nanophotonic waveguides enable extremely efficient Raman spectroscopy in chip-scale photonic integrated circuits due to the continuous excitation and collection of Raman scattering along the entire waveguide length. Such waveguides can be used for detection and identification of condensed-phase analytes, or, if functionalized by a sorbent as a top-cladding, can be used to detect trace concentrations of chemical species. The scattering efficiency is modified in guided-mode structures compared to unconfined, micro-Raman geometries. Here, we describe the theoretical framework for understanding the Raman scattering efficiency in nanophotonic waveguides, and compare these calculations to our measurements of trace gases in hypersorbent-clad silicon nitride waveguides.

Suspended photonic waveguide devices.

This article describes recent research at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory that focuses on the use of micro- and nanomachining techniques for photonic waveguide devices. By selectively etching a sacrificial layer that the waveguide core is supported by, in whole or in part, the waveguide obtains enhanced properties and functionality, such as mechanical flexibility, index contrast, birefringence, and evanescent field depth. We describe how these properties enable unique waveguide applications in areas such as cavity optomechanics, displacement sensing, electro-optics, and nonlinear optics.

3-D near-field imaging of guided modes in nanophotonic waveguides

Abstract Highly evanescent waveguides with a subwavelength core thickness present a promising lab-on-chip solution for generating nanovolume trapping sites using overlapping evanescent fields. In this work, we experimentally studied Si3N4 waveguides whose sub-wavelength cross-sections and high aspect ratios support fundamental and higher order modes at a single excitation wavelength. Due to differing modal effective indices, these co-propagating modes interfere and generate beating patterns with significant evanescent field intensity. Using near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), we map the structure of these beating modes in three dimensions. Our results demonstrate the potential of NSOM to optimize waveguide design for complex field trapping devices. By reducing the in-plane width, the population of competing modes decreases, resulting in a simplified spectrum of beating modes, such that waveguides with a width of 650 nm support three modes with two observed beats. Our results demonstrate the potential of NSOM to optimize waveguide design for complex field trapping devices.