Martin D. B. Charlton

Complete photonic bandgaps in 12-fold symmetric quasicrystals

Photonic crystals are attracting current interest for a variety of reasons, such as their ability to inhibit the spontaneous emission of light. This and related properties arise from the formation of photonic bandgaps, whereby multiple scattering of photons by lattices of periodically varying refractive indices acts to prevent the propagation of electromagnetic waves having certain wavelengths. One route to forming photonic crystals is to etch two-dimensional periodic lattices of vertical air holes into dielectric slab waveguides. Such structures can show complete photonic bandgaps, but only for large-diameter air holes in materials of high refractive index (such as gallium arsenide, n = 3.69), which unfortunately leads to significantly reduced optical transmission when combined with optical fibres of low refractive index. It has been suggested that quasicrystalline (rather than periodic) lattices can also possess photonic bandgaps. Here we demonstrate this concept experimentally and show that it enables complete photonic bandgaps—non-directional and for any polarization—to be realized with small air holes in silicon nitride (n = 2.02), and even glass (n = 1.45). These properties make photonic quasicrystals promising for application in a range of optical devices.

Tuning localized plasmons in nanostructured substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Reflectivity measurements of gold nanostructures graded in pitch and aperture size allow investigation of localized plasmons. A simple model confirmed by simulations explains the plasmon resonances. Such arrays are highly suitable Raman scattering substrates.

Increased color-conversion efficiency in hybrid light-emitting diodes utilizing non-radiative energy transfer

An efficient hybrid color-conversion light-emitting device consisting of colloidal nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) and a surface-patterned GaN-based LED is demonstrated (see figure). Excitation in a surface-patterned LED is efficiently transferred to NQD emitters via non-radiative energy transfer. A twofold enhancement of the NQD emission is achieved.

Guided mode analysis, and fabrication of a 2-dimensional visible photonic band structure confined within a planar semiconductor waveguide

Abstract In this paper, we present a graphical method for calculating the guided Bloch modes supported by a 2-dimensional photonic lattice etched into a planar waveguide structure. We combine a 3-dimensional plane wave analysis with standard waveguide theory to determine the broadband transmission characteristics of waveguiding PBG devices away from the primary band gap region, and demonstrate the suppression of normal waveguide modes within the band gap region. In addition, we demonstrate the successful fabrication of a waveguiding photonic band structure with a polarisation dependent band gap centred around 632.8 nm in the visible region of the spectrum. This nano-structure consists of a triangular array of air holes etched through the cladding and core of a silicon nitride waveguide.

Near-field optical microscopy of thin photonic crystal films

Near-field optical microscopy is used to image the light propagating in a Si3N4-on-silica film with a strip of deeply etched submicron holes in the center. Fringe patterns created by interference between incident and diffracted guided modes are observed in the smooth waveguide surrounding the large air-hole photonic film. Observation of the fields in the photonic crystal regions indicates that out-of-plane scattering at the smooth/periodic transitions and leakage caused by grating coupling play major roles. The effects of different air-hole sizes and lattice pitches are also explored.

Visible photonic band gap engineering in silicon nitride waveguides

We demonstrate experimentally the tuning of complete photonic band gaps in patterned silicon nitride waveguides. Transmission measurements were performed using an ultrabroadband high-brightness white light laser continuum, extracting extinction ratios as low as 10–4 in the gap regions. Angle-resolved measurements show the perfect alignment of the gap around the -J direction.

Visible-wavelength super-refraction in photonic crystal superprisms

We demonstrate the fabrication of superprism devices in photonic crystal waveguides with excellent transmission through 600 rows of 160nm diameter holes. Broadband spectral and angular measurements allow mapping of the chromatic refractivity. This shows the ability of such devices to super-refract by more than 1°/nm close to the principal band gaps,10× more than equivalent gratings, and 100× more than equivalent prisms. Simple theories based on plane-wave models give excellent agreement with these results.

Experimental investigation of photonic crystal waveguide devices and line-defect waveguide bends

Photonic crystal waveguide devices incorporating line-defect waveguide bends have been fabricated. In this paper we present preliminary experimental analysis of these structures. Although evidence of photonic band-gap effects are observed in the spectra, transmission efficiency was found to be extremely low due to significant up-scattering losses from the holes. In order to quantify this loss mechanism, a detailed experimental and theoretical analysis of scattering effects in regular photonic crystal waveguide devices with band gaps at visible wavelength is presented. Field profiles in line defect structures are analysed using a FDTD (finite difference time domain) method.

Neodymium-doped tantalum pentoxide waveguide lasers

The fabrication, spectroscopic properties, and laser performance of Nd/sup 3+/-doped Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ channel waveguide lasers are described. Lasing is obtained at both 1.066 and 1.375 /spl mu/m with threshold pump powers as low as 2.7 mW. The rib waveguides are reactive-ion-etched into Nd:Ta/sub 2/O/sub 5/ layers formed by reactive magnetron sputtering. These high-index low-loss rare-earth-doped waveguides are fabricated on silicon substrates and offer the potential for integration with photonic crystal structures for compact optical circuits.

Fabrication of high aspect ratio silicon microstructures by anodic etching

We describe a refinement of the anodization process commonly used for the formation of porous silicon, which allows the fabrication of arrays of very high aspect ratio sub-micron pores and free-standing pillars. These structures are shown to possess a wide photonic band gap in the near infra red.