Sergiy Suntsov

Discrete surface solitons.

It is theoretically shown that discrete nonlinear surface waves are possible in waveguide lattices. These self-trapped states are located at the edge of the array and can exist only above a certain power threshold. The excitation characteristics and stability properties of these surface waves are systematically investigated.

All-optical switching and multifrequency generation in a dual-core photonic crystal fiber.

We demonstrate all-optical switching at 1550 nm between two weakly coupled cores in a photonic crystal fiber for intensities up to 0.5 TW/cm2. Spectrum analysis at higher intensities reveals that the output was dominated by continuum generation primarily towards shorter wavelengths.

Enhanced third-order nonlinear effects in optical AlGaAs nanowires

We report the first observation of enhanced third-order nonlinear effects in AlGaAs nanowires. AlGaAs nanowaveguides with widths varying from 100 to 600nm were fabricated and characterized. Nonlinear phase shifts of approximately pi were experimentally observed at 1.55mum with peak powers of 30-40W in 600mum long, 550nm wide guides.

Optical modes at the interface between two dissimilar discrete meta-materials

We have studied theoretically and experimentally the properties of optical surface modes at the hetero-interface between two meta-materials. These meta-materials consisted of two 1D AlGaAs waveguide arrays with different band structures.

OBSERVATION OF ONE- AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL DISCRETE SURFACE SPATIAL SOLITONS

The recent theoretical predictions and experimental observations of discrete surface solitons propagating along the interface between a one- or two-dimensional continuous medium and a one- or two-dimensional waveguide array are reviewed. These discrete solitons were found in second order (periodically poled lithium niobate) and third order nonlinear media, including AlGaAs, photorefractive media and glass, respectively.

Vector discrete nonlinear surface waves.

It is theoretically shown that multi-component discrete vector surface waves can exist in arrays of coupled waveguides. These mutually trapped surface states primarily reside in the first waveguide of a semi-infinite array. The existence and stability of such surface waves are systematically investigated.

Low loss ridge waveguides in lithium niobate thin films by optical grade diamond blade dicing.

We report on the fabrication and characterization of ridge waveguides in lithium niobate thin films by diamond blade dicing. The lithium niobate thin films with a thickness of 1 µm were fabricated by bonding a He-implanted lithium niobate wafer to a SiO(2)-coated lithium niobate wafer and crystal ion slicing. Propagation losses of 1.2 dB/cm for TE and 2.8 dB/cm for TM polarization were measured at 1550 nm for a 9.28 mm long and 2.1 µm wide waveguide using the Fabry-Perot method.

Power thresholds of families of discrete surface solitons

We have investigated both theoretically and experimentally the power threshold of discrete Kerr surface solitons at the interface between a discrete one-dimensional (1D) (waveguide array) and a continuous 1D (slab waveguide) AlGaAs medium. Decreasing power thresholds were predicted and measured for soliton trapping at sites with increasing distance from the boundary. The thresholds approached asymptotically the power required for a discrete soliton of equivalent width in an infinite lattice. The minimum threshold coincided with a minimum in the interchannel coupling strength.

Optical spatial solitons at the interface between two dissimilar periodic media: theory and experiment

Discrete spatial solitons traveling along the interface between two dissimilar one-dimensional arrays of waveguides were observed for the first time. Two interface solitons were found theoretically, each one with a peak in a different boundary channel. One evolves into a soliton from a linear mode at an array separation larger than a critical separation where-as the second soliton always exhibits a power threshold. These solitons exhibited different power thresholds which depended on the characteristics of the two lattices. For excitation of single channels near and at the boundary, the evolution behavior with propagation distance indicates that the solitons peaked near and at the interface experience an attractive potential on one side of the boundary, and a repulsive one on the opposite side. The power dependence of the solitons at variable distance from the boundary was found to be quite different on opposite sides of the interface and showed evidence for soliton switching between channels with increasing input power.

Characterization of diced ridge waveguides in pure and Er-doped lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) substrates

Lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) is a new material platform for integrated optics allowing for small bending radii, high intensities and superior electro-optical and nonlinear properties. Ridge waveguides of different width are fabricated on pure and Er-doped LNOI substrates using diamond-blade dicing, resulting in smooth side walls with lower roughness when compared to dry etching techniques. Propagation losses for polarized modes are measured by the Fabry-Perot method using a fiber coupling setup and a tunable laser at 1.5 μm. Loss values as low as ~1.4dBcm-1 were obtained for quasi-TM (qTM) modes, while losses for qTE modes are slightly higher. Characterization of Er:LNOI ridges is performed using Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. Spectral scans are obtained using a scanning confocal microscope and a 488nm laser. Besides line broadening that may be attributed to internal strain in the bonded layer and implantation induced defects, analysis of Raman spectra shows no significant difference between waveguide and bulk material. However, Er emission of 2H11/2 and 4S3/2 to 4I15/2 contains small spatial differences across the layer thickness when compared to Er-doped bulk samples. While Raman intensity has a linear relationship with pump power, the intensity of the Er emission starts saturating already at pump levels of a few mW. To investigate fluorescence of the 4I13/2–4I15/2 transition inside the diced ridges, a fiber-coupled laser with wavelength 980nm is used for pumping. The emission is broadened and maxima are shifted to longer wavelengths, which may be attributed to defects induced by implantation, strain induced by the bonded LN-SiO2 interface, and re-absorption of fluorescence light.