How small can a microring resonator be and yet be polarization independent?

There has been a recent trend to reduce the size of photonic waveguide devices to enable high-density integration in silicon photonic integrated circuits. However, this miniaturization tends to result in increased polarization dependency. Particularly challenging is designing devices based on ring waveguides with small radii, which exacerbates the polarization sensitivity.

The effects of periodic and quasi-periodic orders on the photonic bandgap structures of microring coupled-resonator optical waveguides.

We present a coupling matrix formalism to investigate the effects of periodic and quasi-periodic orders on the photonic bandgap (PBG) structures of coupled-resonator optical waveguides (CROWs) based on microring resonators. For the periodic order case, size-tuned defects are introduced at periodic locations among the regular rings, which are size-untuned, to form a periodic ordered CROW system. The periodic coupled defects result in multiple localization states that lead to the formation of mini-defect bands and mini-PBGs within the PBG of a defect-free CROW.

Boxlike filter response based on complementary photonic bandgaps in two-dimensional microresonator arrays.

We propose that a boxlike filter response can be obtained by utilizing complementary photonic bandgap properties of the column and row configurations in two-dimensional microresonator arrays. The filters are fabricated using deep-UV lithography in silicon-on-insulator technology. The observed sidelobes reduction is approximately 10 dB, and the usable bandwidth can be as high as 500-750 GHz.

Demonstration of defect modes in coupled microresonator arrays fabricated in silicon-on-insulator technology.

We show experimentally the existence of defect modes in mutually coupled microring resonator arrays fabricated in silicon-on-insulator technology. The movements of donor-like and acceptor-like modes are demonstrated for various defect lengths, in good agreement with earlier theoretical prediction.

Optical buffer with higher delay-bandwidth product in a two-ring system.

We propose a new scheme for buffering optical signals in two-ring resonator system that has a larger delay-bandwidth product than those achievable in single-ring and two-ring configurations of the optical analog of electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT).

Argon-plasma-induced InAs/InGaAs/InP quantum dot intermixing.

We report the first study of argon (Ar)-plasma-enhanced intermixing of InAs/InGaAs/InP self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) in an inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etch system. The Ar-plasma exposure creates point defects, which propagate into the QD structure and enhance the intermixing between the QDs and their barrier layers, hence tuning the energy bandgap of the QDs. By optimizing the plasma exposure time and the annealing temperature, we observe (i) a blueshift of 160 nm and an increase in the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the QD samples immediately after Ar-plasma exposure for 90 s, and (ii) a further increase in the blueshift of 330 nm, accompanied by 2.

High-index-contrast waveguides and devices.

We present a theoretical and experimental study of high-index-contrast waveguides and basic (passive) devices built from them. Several new results are reported, but to be more comprehensive we also review some of our previous results. We focus on a ridge waveguide, whose strong lateral confinement gives it unique properties fundamentally different from the conventional weakly guiding rib waveguides.

Theoretical approach to a polarization-insensitive single-mode microring resonator.

This paper addresses the polarization sensitivity issue of micro-ring resonators by proposing a novel design of an MMI-coupled resonator with substantially reduced or zero polarization sensitivity, while maintaining singlemode and low-loss conditions. The design is based on polarization-independent, single-mode waveguide obtained by using a judicious combination of critical ridge width and etch depth. The design is limited to relatively large resonators having small FSR (free spectral range).

Transformation between directional couplers and multi-mode interferometers based on ridge waveguides.

We present a unique comparison of ridge-type directional couplers (DC) and multi-mode interferometers (MMI) in terms of their transformational relationship. The two devices are intimately related as the MMI is derived from the DC. We show for the first time the continuous evolution from the two-mode coupling characteristic of DC to the multimode mixing and interference characteristic of MMI, as the DC is structurally transformed into the MMI.

Polarization-independent vertical coupler for photonics integration.

We present the first systematic design approach for compact polarization-independent mode-size transformers based on tapered resonant vertical couplers with transfer efficiencies greater than 90%. Resonant coupling occurs at a critical taper width having equal TE and TM effective index. Being polarization-independent broadens the usefulness of vertical coupler as a building block for minimizing insertion loss in photonic integrated circuits.