Taran Huffman

Arrayed narrow linewidth erbium-doped waveguide-distributed feedback lasers on an ultra-low-loss silicon-nitride platform

We demonstrate an array of erbium-doped waveguide-distributed feedback lasers on an ultra-low-loss Si(3)N(4) platform. Sidewall gratings providing the lasing feedback are defined in the silicon-nitride layer using 248 nm stepper lithography, while the gain is provided by a reactive co-sputtered erbium-doped aluminum-oxide layer. We observe lasing output over a 12 nm wavelength range (1531-1543 nm) from the array of five separate lasers. Output powers of 8 μW and lasing linewidths of 501 kHz are obtained. Single-mode operation is confirmed, with side-mode suppression ratios over 35 dB for all designs.

Integrated ultra-low-loss silicon nitride waveguide coil for optical gyroscopes

We demonstrate, for the first time, a Sagnac sensor using an on-chip 3m ultra-low-loss silicon nitride waveguide coil.

Optical Interconnect for 3D Integration of Ultra-Low Loss Planar Lightwave Circuits

We demonstrate the fabrication of a low loss broadband vertical coupler for use in the 3D integration of Si3N4 based planar waveguides. Coupling loss of 0.2 dB was achieved and interaction between layers investigated.

Integrated Sagnac optical gyroscope sensor using ultra-low loss high aspect ratio silicon nitride waveguide coil

We demonstrate operation of an interferometric optical gyroscope that uses an on-chip 3m ultra-low-loss silicon nitride waveguide coil. The measured minimum waveguide loss of the waveguide coil fabricated using lithographic die stitching was 0.78 dB/m. The angle random walk and bias instability of the gyroscope were characterized to be 8.52 deg/hr1/2 and 58.7 deg/hr respectively.