Characterisation and Light Manipulation in Photonic Integrated Circuits

Lead Research Organisation: University of Southampton
Department Name: Optoelectronics Research Ctr (closed)

Abstract

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/N509747/1 30/09/2016 29/09/2021
1921224 Studentship EP/N509747/1 30/09/2016 30/03/2020 Nicholas Dinsdale
 
Description During the course of this award, the technique of Ultrafast Photomodulation Spectroscopy (UPMS) has been developed and significantly improved upon as a new novel tool for the characterisation of photonic integrated circuits. The technique allows the mapping of light fields inside devices using only far-field optical pulses, even in the presence of protective cladding layers. The approach is non-destructive and can be applied at the wafer scale. Scan times have been improved from the order of tens of minutes for a typical device to just a couple of minutes, with the potential to go significantly faster, and the spatial resolution has also be improved from around 1.5 micrometres to 500 nanometers; revealing a great deal more detail in the light fields. A new analytical model was developed, which allows the direct quantitative comparison of an ideal design structure to a real-world fabricated device. We also investigated several approaches for multiple refractive index perturbation pattern optimisation, including deep learning, opening up new avenues for all-optical enhanced functionalities of photonic components.
Exploitation Route If there is significant interest in the technique the experiment could be incorporated onto a wafer-scale testbed as a diagnostic tool for silicon photonics manufacturing.
Sectors Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)
 
Description Light shaping on a chip with nanophotonics and complexity 
Organisation Institute of Optics Bordeaux
Country France 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Fabricated samples, developed the experimental method/setup and carried out the experiments.
Collaborator Contribution Developed the theory and in-house numerical code for modelling the perturbation mapping technique. Their custom code provides a substantial speed advantage compared propriety software, such as Lumerical FDTD.
Impact - New and novel research published in a peer-reviewed high impact factor journal. - Professional development - specifically enhanced my programming skills and understanding of the fundamental theory behind my research. - Networking - multiple trips to Bordeaux have allowed me to spend time with other research group and develop further contacts.
Start Year 2017