Shawn-Yu Lin

Asymptotic analysis of silicon based Bragg fibers

We developed an asymptotic formalism that fully characterizes the propagation and loss properties of a Bragg fiber with finite cladding layers. The formalism is subsequently applied to miniature air-core Bragg fibers with Silicon-based cladding mirrors. The fiber performance is analyzed as a function of the Bragg cladding geometries, the core radius and the material absorption. The problems of fiber core deformation and other defects in Bragg fibers are also addressed using a finite-difference time-domain analysis and a Gaussian beam approximation, respectively.

Review on recent progress of three-dimensional optical photonic crystal

Over the past two decades, the field of photonic-crystals has become one of the most influential realms of contemporary optics. In this paper, we will review two recent experimental progresses in three-dimensional photonic-crystal operating in optical wavelengths. The first is the observation of anomalous light-refraction, an acutely negative refraction, in a 3D photonic-crystal for light trapping, guiding and near-unity absorption. The second is the observation of quasi-coherent thermal emission from an all-metallic 3D photonic-crystal at elevated temperatures.

Photonic Crystals for Enhancing Thermophotovoltaic Energy Conversion

Thermophotovoltaics (TPV) converts the radiant energy of a thermal source into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells. TPV has a number of attractive features, including: fuel versatility (nuclear, fossil, solar, etc.), quiet operation, low maintenance, low emissions, light weight, high power density, modularity, and possibility for cogeneration of heat and electricity. Some of these features are highly attractive for military applications (Navy and Army). TPV could also be used for distributed power and automotive applications wherever fuel cells, microturbines, or cogeneration are presently being considered if the efficiencies could be raised to around 30%. This proposal primarily examine approaches to improving the radiative efficiency. The ideal irradiance for the PV cell is monochromatic illumination at the bandgap. The photonic crystal approach allows for the tailoring of thermal emission spectral bandwidth

High Efficiency Optical MEMS by the Integration of Photonic Lattices with Surface MEMS

This report outlines our work on the integration of high efficiency photonic lattice structures with MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems). The simplest of these structures were based on 1-D mirror structures. These were integrated into a variety of devices, movable mirrors, switchable cavities and finally into Bragg fiber structures which enable the control of light in at least 2 dimensions. Of these devices, the most complex were the Bragg fibers. Bragg fibers consist of hollow tubes in which light is guided in a low index media (air) and confined by surrounding Bragg mirror stacks. In this work, structures with internal diameters from 5 to 30 microns have been fabricated and much larger structures should also be possible. We have demonstrated the fabrication of these structures with short wavelength band edges ranging from 400 to 1600nm. There may be potential applications for such structures in the fields of integrated optics and BioMEMS. We have also looked at the possibility of waveguiding in 3 dimensions by integrating defects into 3-dimensional photonic lattice structures. Eventually it may be possible to tune such structures by mechanically modulating the defects.

Realizing optical frequency 3D photonic crystals through advanced VLSI techniques

This paper outlines our work in the area of Photonic Crystal fabrication using silicon processing techniques. Current silicon processing technologies are readily able to pattern the minimum feature sizes required for optical frequencies. A wide variety of different structures have been demonstrated and the level of process control is excellent. Examples are given of one and three-dimensional photonic crystals as well as the integration of other materials such as tungsten and erbium.