Photonics

14 pages, 4366 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Analysis of 4 × 4 Mueller Matrix Transformation Parameters for Biomedical Imaging

by Wei Sheng, Weipeng Li, Ji Qi, Teng Liu, Honghui He, Yang Dong, Shaoxiong Liu, Jian Wu, Daniel S. Elson and Hui Ma

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010034 - 26 Mar 2019

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4831

Abstract

Mueller matrix polarimetry is a potentially powerful technique for obtaining microstructural information of biomedical specimens. Thus, it has found increasing application in both backscattering imaging of bulk tissue samples and transmission microscopic imaging of thin tissue slices. Recently, we proposed a technique to [...] Read more.

Mueller matrix polarimetry is a potentially powerful technique for obtaining microstructural information of biomedical specimens. Thus, it has found increasing application in both backscattering imaging of bulk tissue samples and transmission microscopic imaging of thin tissue slices. Recently, we proposed a technique to transform the 4 × 4 Mueller matrix elements into a group of parameters, which have explicit associations with specific microstructural features of samples. In this paper, we thoroughly analyze the relationships between the Mueller matrix transformation parameters and the characteristic microstructures of tissues by using experimental phantoms and Monte Carlo simulations based on different tissue mimicking models. We also adopt quantitative evaluation indicators to compare the Mueller matrix transformation parameters with the Mueller matrix polar decomposition parameters. The preliminary imaging results of bulk porcine colon tissues and thin human pathological tissue slices demonstrate the potential of Mueller matrix transformation parameters as biomedical diagnostic indicators. Also, this study provides quantitative criteria for parameter selection in biomedical Mueller matrix imaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Photonics Advances)

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12 pages, 5224 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Verification of Non-thermal Effects of 0.3–0.6 THz-Waves on Human Cultured Cells

by Noriko Yaekashiwa, Hisa Yoshida, Sato Otsuki, Shin’ichiro Hayashi and Kodo Kawase

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010033 - 25 Mar 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4431

Abstract

Recent progress has been made in the development of terahertz (THz) waves for practical applications. Few studies that have assessed the biological effects of THz waves have been reported, and the data currently available regarding the safety of THz waves is inadequate. In [...] Read more.

Recent progress has been made in the development of terahertz (THz) waves for practical applications. Few studies that have assessed the biological effects of THz waves have been reported, and the data currently available regarding the safety of THz waves is inadequate. In this study, the effect of THz wave exposure on two cultured cells was assessed using a widely tunable THz source with a 0.3–0.6 THz frequency range, which can be used and increased in one GHz increments. The THz waves applied to the cultured cells were weak enough such that any thermal effects could be disregarded. The influence of THz wave exposure on both the proliferative and metabolic activities of these cells was investigated, as well as the extent of the thermal stress placed on the cells. In this work, no measurable effect on the proliferative or metabolic activities of either cell type was observed following the exposure to THz waves. No differences in the quantity of cDNA related to heat shock protein 70 was detected in either the sham or exposure group. As such, no differences in cellular activity between cells exposed to THz waves and those not exposed were observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Photonics)

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8 pages, 1218 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Hexahedron Photonic Crystal Fiber in Terahertz Propagation: Design and Analysis

by Bikash Kumar Paul, Md. Ashraful Haque, Kawsar Ahmed and Shuvo Sen

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010032 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 4389

Abstract

A novel hexahedron fiber has been proposed for biomedical imaging applications and efficient guiding of terahertz radiation. A finite element method (FEM) has been applied to investigate the guiding properties rigorously. All numerically computational investigated results for optimum parameters have revealed the high [...] Read more.

A novel hexahedron fiber has been proposed for biomedical imaging applications and efficient guiding of terahertz radiation. A finite element method (FEM) has been applied to investigate the guiding properties rigorously. All numerically computational investigated results for optimum parameters have revealed the high numerical aperture (NA) of 0.52, high core power fraction of 64%, near zero flattened dispersion of 0.5 ± 0.6 ps/THz/cm over the 0.8–1.4 THz band and low losses with 80% of the bulk absorption material loss. In addition, the V–parameter is also inspected for checking the proposed fiber modality. The proposed single-mode hexahedron photonic crystal fiber (PCF) can be highly applicable for convenient broadband transmission and numerous applications in THz technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Photonics)

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Schematic view of proposed PCF with modes field for different porosities. Full article ">Figure 2
The numerical aperture as a function of frequency and porosities. Full article ">Figure 3
The effective area of optimum structure as a function of frequency. Full article ">Figure 4
The confinement loss and scattering loss as a function of frequency. Full article ">Figure 5
The effective material loss (EML) as a function of frequency for different porosities. Full article ">Figure 6
The core power fraction as a function of frequency for different porosities. Full article ">Figure 7
The V<math display="inline"><semantics> <msub> <mrow/> <mrow> <mi>e</mi> <mi>f</mi> <mi>f</mi> </mrow> </msub> </semantics></math> as a function of frequency for different porosities. Full article ">Figure 8
The dispersion of different porosities as a function of frequency. Full article ">

8 pages, 1886 KiB 17 µm) Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Lasers Operating in a Continuous Wave at Room Temperature" data-journal="photonics">

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Long Wavelength (λ > 17 µm) Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Lasers Operating in a Continuous Wave at Room Temperature

by Hoang Nguyen Van, Zeineb Loghmari, Hadrien Philip, Michael Bahriz, Alexei N. Baranov and Roland Teissier

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010031 - 21 Mar 2019

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 5538

Abstract

The extension of the available spectral range covered by quantum cascade lasers (QCL) would allow one to address new molecular spectroscopy applications, in particular in the long wavelength domain of the mid-infrared. We report in this paper the realization of distributed feedback (DFB) [...] Read more.

The extension of the available spectral range covered by quantum cascade lasers (QCL) would allow one to address new molecular spectroscopy applications, in particular in the long wavelength domain of the mid-infrared. We report in this paper the realization of distributed feedback (DFB) QCLs, made of InAs and AlSb, that demonstrated a continuous wave (CW) and a single mode emission at a wavelength of 17.7 µm, with output powers in the mW range. This is the longest wavelength for DFB QCLs, and for any QCLs or semiconductor lasers in general, operating in a CW at room temperature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected papers from “International Quantum Cascade Laser School and Workshop 2018”)

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Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract
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Band diagram of a portion of the studied active region. The laser transition is between the red (up) and green (down) states. Two quantum wells in the middle of the injector are doped with Si for an electron sheet density of 0.3 × 1011 cm−2 per stage. Full article ">Figure 2
Room temperature electrical and optical characteristics of a typical FP quantum cascade laser (QCL) fabricated from the studied wafer. The laser is 3.6 mm long and 16 µm wide and driven with 330 ns current pulses at a repetition rate of 12 kHz. Inset: the pulsed emission spectrum of the laser. Full article ">Figure 3
(a) Emission spectra in pulsed mode at 25 °C of DFB lasers with a different period of the DFB grating (Λ). The linewidth is limited by the resolution of the FTIR spectrometer. (b) Peak wavelength of the tested devices as a function of the period of the DFB grating. Full article ">Figure 4
(a) Comparison of the pulsed characteristics of FP and DFB QCLs with different grating periods. The FP laser is 3.6 mm long and 16 µm wide; the DFB laser with Λ = 2.666 µm is 3.4 mm long and 15 µm wide; the laser with Λ = 2.590 µm is 3.0 mm long and 14 µm wide. (b) Threshold current densities of the studied devices as a function of operating temperature. The open symbols are for pulsed operation, and the solid symbols are for CW operation. Full article ">Figure 5
(a) CW characteristics of a 3.4-mm-long and 14-µm-wide DFB QCL with Λ = 2.666 µm. The optical power is the power collected from one facet with a f/1 off-axis parabolic mirror without any correction for the collection efficiency. (b) Emission spectra in a CW as a function of the sample holder temperature for a current of 700 mA. The linewidth is limited by the resolution of the FTIR spectrometer. Full article ">Figure 6
(a) CW characteristics of a 3.0-mm-long and 14-µm-wide DFB QCL with Λ = 2.590 µm, mounted in a Peltier cooled module. The optical power is the power collected from one facet with a f/1 off-axis parabolic mirror without any correction for the collection efficiency. (b) Emission spectra in a CW as a function of the sample holder temperature, for a set of currents starting at the maximum current of 580 mA and decreasing in 20 mA steps. The linewidth is limited by the resolution of the FTIR spectrometer. Full article ">

13 pages, 2441 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design an All-Optical Combinational Logic Circuits Based on Nano-Ring Insulator-Metal-Insulator Plasmonic Waveguides

by Saif Hasan Abdulnabi and Mohammed Nadhim Abbas

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010030 - 19 Mar 2019

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 4440

Abstract

In this paper, we propose, analyze and simulate a new configuration to simulate all-optical combinational logic functions based on Nano-rings insulator-metal-insulator (IMI) plasmonic waveguides. We used Finite Element Method (FEM) to analyze the proposed plasmonic combinational logic functions. The analyzed combinational logic functions [...] Read more.

In this paper, we propose, analyze and simulate a new configuration to simulate all-optical combinational logic functions based on Nano-rings insulator-metal-insulator (IMI) plasmonic waveguides. We used Finite Element Method (FEM) to analyze the proposed plasmonic combinational logic functions. The analyzed combinational logic functions are Half-Adder, Full-Adder, Half-Subtractor, and Comparator One-Bit. The operation principle of these combinational logic functions is based on the constructive and destructive interferences between the input signal(s) and control signal. Numerical simulations show that a transmission threshold exists (0.25) which allows all proposed four plasmonic combinational logic functions to be achieved in one structure. As a result, the transmission threshold value measures the performance of the proposed plasmonic combinational logic functions. We use the same structure with the same dimensions at 1550 nm wavelength for all proposed plasmonic combinational logic functions. The proposed all-optical combinational logic functions structure contributes significantly to photonic integrated circuits construction and all-optical signal processing nano-circuits. Full article

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The proposed structure for the proposed plasmonic four combinational logic functions. Full article ">Figure 2
(a,b) the conventional half-adder logic diagram and its truth table, respectively. (c) The transmission spectrum of the proposed plasmonic half-adder for different states, according to its truth table. (d,e) the magnetic field distribution of Logic 00 and Logic 11 inputs, respectively. Full article ">Figure 3
(a,b) the conventional half-subtractor logic diagram and its truth table, respectively. (c) The transmission spectrum of the proposed plasmonic half-subtractor for different states, according to its truth table. (d,e) the magnetic field distribution of Logic 10 and Logic 11 inputs, respectively. Full article ">Figure 4
(a) and (b) the conventional comparator one-bit logic diagram and its truth table, respectively. (c) The transmission spectrum of the proposed plasmonic comparator one-bit for different states, according to its truth table. (d), (e), (f) and (g) the magnetic field distribution of Logic 00, 01, 10, and 11 inputs, respectively. Full article ">Figure 5
(a) and (b) the conventional full-adder logic symbol and its truth table, respectively. (c) The transmission spectrum of the proposed plasmonic full-adder for different states, according to its truth table. (d), (e), (f) and (g) the magnetic field distribution of Logic 001, 011, 110, and 111 inputs, respectively. Full article ">

8 pages, 6783 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tuning Plasmon Induced Reflectance with Hybrid Metasurfaces

by Mohsin Habib, Ekmel Ozbay and Humeyra Caglayan

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010029 - 16 Mar 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3256

Abstract

Electrically tunable metasurfaces with graphene offer design flexibility to efficiently manipulate and control light. These metasurfaces can be used to generate plasmon-induced reflectance (PIR), which can be tuned by electrostatic doping of the graphene layer. We numerically investigated two designs for tunable PIR [...] Read more.

Electrically tunable metasurfaces with graphene offer design flexibility to efficiently manipulate and control light. These metasurfaces can be used to generate plasmon-induced reflectance (PIR), which can be tuned by electrostatic doping of the graphene layer. We numerically investigated two designs for tunable PIR devices using the finite difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The first design is based on two rectangular antennas of the same size and a disk; in the second design, two parallel rectangular antennas with different dimensions are used. The PIR-effect was achieved by weak hybridization of two bright modes in both devices and tuned by changing the Fermi level of graphene. A total shift of ∼362 nm was observed in the design with the modulation depth of 53% and a spectral contrast ratio of 76%. These tunable PIR devices can be used for tunable enhanced biosensing and switchable systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metamaterials for Advanced Photonic and Plasmonic Applications – Selected Papers from Metamaterials’2018)

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The unit cell of (a) the first device with two rectangular antennas and a disk. (b) The second device with two parallel rectangular antennas. (c,d) 3D schematics of the first and second devices, respectively. Full article ">Figure 2
Simulated reflection results of (a) the first device and (b) the second device at 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 eV . The insets show the reflection spectra of the bright modes excited individually: (a) shorter rectangular antenna (pink), longer antenna (green), and (b) rectangular antennas (pink) and disk (green). Full article ">Figure 3
Electric-field (E-field) magnitudes at 0.5 eV: (a) E-field magnitude at 3.62 <math display="inline"><semantics> <mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi> </semantics></math>m. (b) E-field magnitude at 3.94 <math display="inline"><semantics> <mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi> </semantics></math>m. (c) E-field magnitude at 4.39 <math display="inline"><semantics> <mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi> </semantics></math>m. Full article ">Figure 4
E-field magnitudes at 0.5 eV: (a) E-field magnitude at 3.49 <math display="inline"><semantics> <mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi> </semantics></math>m. (b) E-field magnitude at 3.80 <math display="inline"><semantics> <mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi> </semantics></math>m. (c) E-field magnitude at 4.22 <math display="inline"><semantics> <mi mathvariant="sans-serif">μ</mi> </semantics></math>m. Full article ">Figure 5
Reflection results of the two rectangular antenna design. The SEM image is presented in the inset. Full article ">

12 pages, 4081 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Epsilon-Near-Zero Absorber by Tamm Plasmon Polariton

by Rashid G. Bikbaev, Stepan Ya. Vetrov and Ivan V. Timofeev

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010028 - 9 Mar 2019

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5137

Abstract

Two schemes of excitation of a Tamm plasmon polariton localized at the interface between a photonic crystal and a nanocomposite with near-zero effective permittivity have been investigated in the framework of the temporal coupled-mode theory. The parameters of the structure have been determined, [...] Read more.

Two schemes of excitation of a Tamm plasmon polariton localized at the interface between a photonic crystal and a nanocomposite with near-zero effective permittivity have been investigated in the framework of the temporal coupled-mode theory. The parameters of the structure have been determined, which correspond to the critical coupling of the incident field with a Tamm plasmon polariton and, consequently, ensure the total absorption of the incident radiation by the structure. It has been established that the spectral width of the absorption line depends on the scheme of Tamm plasmon polariton excitation and the parameters of a nanocomposite film. The features of field localization at the Tamm plasmon polariton frequency for different excitation schemes have been examined. It has been demonstrated that such media can be used as narrowband absorbers based on Tamm plasmon polaritons localized at the interface between a photonic crystal and a nanocomposite with near-zero effective permittivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optical Materials and Devices)

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12 pages, 2397 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mode Suppression in Injection Locked Multi-Mode and Single-Mode Lasers for Optical Demultiplexing

by Kevin Shortiss, Maryam Shayesteh, William Cotter, Alison H. Perrott, Mohamad Dernaika and Frank H. Peters

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010027 - 8 Mar 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3950

Abstract

Optical injection locking has been demonstrated as an effective filter for optical communications. These optical filters have advantages over conventional passive filters, as they can be used on active material, allowing them to be monolithically integrated onto an optical circuit. We present an [...] Read more.

Optical injection locking has been demonstrated as an effective filter for optical communications. These optical filters have advantages over conventional passive filters, as they can be used on active material, allowing them to be monolithically integrated onto an optical circuit. We present an experimental and theoretical study of the optical suppression in injection locked Fabry–Pérot and slotted Fabry–Pérot lasers. We consider both single frequency and optical comb injection. Our model is then used to demonstrate that improving the Q factor of devices increases the suppression obtained when injecting optical combs. We show that increasing the Q factor while fixing the device pump rate relative to threshold causes the locking range of these demultiplexers to asymptotically approach a constant value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Semiconductor Laser Dynamics: Fundamentals and Applications)

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11 pages, 2574 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Design of Optical Circuit-Analog Absorbers through Electrically Small Nanoparticles

by Alessio Monti, Andrea Alù, Alessandro Toscano and Filiberto Bilotti

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010026 - 6 Mar 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4147

Abstract

In the last few years, the perfect absorption of light has become an important research topic due to its dramatic impact in photovoltaics, photodetectors, color filters and thermal emitters. While broadband optical absorption is relatively easy to achieve using bulky devices, today there [...] Read more.

In the last few years, the perfect absorption of light has become an important research topic due to its dramatic impact in photovoltaics, photodetectors, color filters and thermal emitters. While broadband optical absorption is relatively easy to achieve using bulky devices, today there is a strong need and interest in achieving the same effects by employing nanometric structures that are compatible with modern nanophotonic components. In this paper, we propose a general procedure to design broadband nanometer-scale absorbers working in the optical spectrum. The proposed devices, which can be considered an extension to optics of microwave circuit-analog absorbers, consist of several layers containing arrays of elongated nanoparticles, whose dimensions are engineered to control both the absorption level and the operational bandwidth. By combining a surface-impedance homogenization and an equivalent transmission-line formalism, we define a general analytical procedure that can be employed to achieve a final working design. As a relevant example, we show that the proposed approach allows designing an optical absorber exhibiting a 20% fractional bandwidth on a thickness of λ/4 at the central frequency of operation. Full-wave results confirming the effectiveness of the analytical findings, as well as some considerations about the experimental realization of the proposed devices are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metamaterials for Advanced Photonic and Plasmonic Applications – Selected Papers from Metamaterials’2018)

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(a) A sketch of a three-layered circuit-analog absorber and (b) its equivalent circuit model. Full article ">Figure 2
(a) The optical metasurface made by an array of ellipsoidal plasmonic nanoparticles arranged in a square lattice; (b) the complex surface impedance of two different optical metasurfaces designed to have the same surface resistance (Rs = 200 Ω) and opposite reactive behaviors (capacitive and inductive). The ticks represent the results of full-wave simulations. Full article ">Figure 3
(a) The two-layered optical circuit-analogue (CA) absorber. The ground plane is replaced by a thick enough layer of silver; (b) the surface reactance of the two metasurfaces required to maximize the absorption within the frequencies range 550–650 THz. The surface reactances of the metasurfaces are compared with the input reactance of the absorber evaluated before the first and the second layer. Full article ">Figure 4
(a) The input impedance of the designed CA absorber and of an equivalent Salisbury screen with the same thickness. (b) The analytical and numerical absorbance (absolute value) of the designed CA absorber and of an equivalent Salisbury screen with the same thickness. Ticks represent the results of full-wave simulations. Full article ">Figure 5
(a) The absorbance, reflectance and transmittance (absolute value) of a three-layered CA optical absorber obtained through full-wave simulations; (b) the value of the absorbance (absolute value) at three different frequencies as the impinging angle changes. Full article ">Figure 6
(a) The complex surface impedance exhibited by two arrays of nanoellipsoids and nanocylinders with the same size; (b) the absorbance of the three-layered CA absorber made by nanocylinders for different values of the perturbation parameter Δ. In the inset, the equivalent absorber structure for Δ = 6 nm is shown. Full article ">

7 pages, 1971 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Study on the Soliton Mode-Locking of the Er³⁺-Doped Fluoride Fiber Laser at ~3 μm with Nonlinear Polarization Rotation

by Feijuan Zhang, Wenyan Yan, Shengnan Liang, Chao Tan and Pinghua Tang

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010025 - 6 Mar 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3806

Abstract

Recent interest in the application of mid-infrared (mid-IR) lasers has made the generation of ~3 µm ultrafast pulses a hot topic. Recently, the generation of femtosecond-scale pulses in Er³⁺-doped fluoride fiber lasers has been realized by nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR). However, [...] Read more.

Recent interest in the application of mid-infrared (mid-IR) lasers has made the generation of ~3 µm ultrafast pulses a hot topic. Recently, the generation of femtosecond-scale pulses in Er³⁺-doped fluoride fiber lasers has been realized by nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR). However, a numerical study on these fiber lasers has not been reported yet. In this work, the output properties of the NPR passively mode-locked Er³⁺-doped fluoride fiber ring laser in ~3 µm have been numerically investigated based on the coupled Ginzburg–Landu equation. The simulation results indicate that stable uniform solitons (0.75 nJ) with the pulse duration of femtosecond-scale can be generated from this fiber laser. This numerical investigation can provide some reference for developing the high energy femtosecond soliton fiber lasers in the mid-IR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fiber Lasers)

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Schematic diagram of the passively mode-locked Er3+-doped fluoride fiber laser. PD-ISO, polarization-dependent isolator; QWP, quarter waveplate; HWP, half waveplate; DM, dichroic mirror; BS, beam splitter. Full article ">Figure 2
Cavity transmissions with respect to the total phase delay. Full article ">Figure 3
Pulse (a) and spectrum (b) evolution with round trips. Output pulse profile (c) and spectrum profile (d) in the 120th round trip. Full article ">Figure 4
Output pulse characteristics of the passively mode-locked Er3+-doped fluoride fiber laser. (a) Pulse width and 3 dB spectral bandwidth and (b) peak power and pulse energy as a function of fiber length. Full article ">Figure 5
Output pulse characteristics of the passively mode-locked Er3+-doped fluoride fiber laser. (a) Pulse width and 3 dB spectral bandwidth and (b) peak power and pulse energy as a function of small signal gain. Full article ">Figure 6
Pulse evolution for g0 = 1.15 m−1 (a) and 1.5 m−1 (b) with round trips. Full article ">

18 pages, 1926 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Progress on Ge/SiGe Quantum Well Optical Modulators, Detectors, and Emitters for Optical Interconnects

by Papichaya Chaisakul, Vladyslav Vakarin, Jacopo Frigerio, Daniel Chrastina, Giovanni Isella, Laurent Vivien and Delphine Marris-Morini

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010024 - 1 Mar 2019

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 7570

Abstract

Germanium/Silicon-Germanium (Ge/SiGe) multiple quantum wells receive great attention for the realization of Si-based optical modulators, photodetectors, and light emitters for short distance optical interconnects on Si chips. Ge quantum wells incorporated between SiGe barriers, allowing a strong electro-absorption mechanism of the quantum-confined Stark [...] Read more.

Germanium/Silicon-Germanium (Ge/SiGe) multiple quantum wells receive great attention for the realization of Si-based optical modulators, photodetectors, and light emitters for short distance optical interconnects on Si chips. Ge quantum wells incorporated between SiGe barriers, allowing a strong electro-absorption mechanism of the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE) within telecommunication wavelengths. In this review, we respectively discuss the current state of knowledge and progress of developing optical modulators, photodetectors, and emitters based on Ge/SiGe quantum wells. Key performance parameters, including extinction ratio, optical loss, swing bias voltages, and electric fields, and modulation bandwidth for optical modulators, dark currents, and optical responsivities for photodetectors, and emission characteristics of the structures will be presented. Full article

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11 pages, 2077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photonic Inverse Design of Simple Particles with Realistic Losses in the Visible Frequency Range

by Constantinos Valagiannopoulos

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010023 - 28 Feb 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4057

Abstract

Billions of U.S. dollars of basic and applied research funding have been invested during the last few years in ideas proposing inverse concepts. The photonics market could not make an exception to this global trend, and thus, several agenda-setting research groups have already [...] Read more.

Billions of U.S. dollars of basic and applied research funding have been invested during the last few years in ideas proposing inverse concepts. The photonics market could not make an exception to this global trend, and thus, several agenda-setting research groups have already started providing sophisticated tools, constrained optimization algorithms, and selective evolution techniques towards this direction. Here, we present an approach of inverse design based on the exhaustive trial-and-testing of the available media and changing the physical dimensions’ range according to the operational wavelength. The proposed technique is applied to the case of an optimal radiation-enhancing cylindrical particle fed by a line source of visible light and gives a two-order increase in the magnitude of the produced signal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metamaterials for Advanced Photonic and Plasmonic Applications – Selected Papers from Metamaterials’2018)

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27 pages, 5391 KiB

Open AccessReview

Terahertz Field Confinement in Nonlinear Metamaterials and Near-Field Imaging

by George R. Keiser and Pernille Klarskov

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010022 - 28 Feb 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8805

Abstract

This article reviews recent advances in terahertz science and technology that rely on confining the energy of incident terahertz radiation to small, very sub-wavelength sized regions. We focus on two broad areas of application for such field confinement: metamaterial-based nonlinear terahertz devices and [...] Read more.

This article reviews recent advances in terahertz science and technology that rely on confining the energy of incident terahertz radiation to small, very sub-wavelength sized regions. We focus on two broad areas of application for such field confinement: metamaterial-based nonlinear terahertz devices and terahertz near-field microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. In particular, we focus on field confinement in: terahertz nonlinear absorbers, metamaterial enhanced nonlinear terahertz spectroscopy, and in sub-wavelength terahertz imaging systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Photonics)

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11 pages, 3455 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wedge Surface Plasmon Polariton Waveguides Based on Wet-Bulk Micromachining

by Nguyen Thanh Huong, Nguyen Van Chinh and Chu Manh Hoang

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010021 - 27 Feb 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3963

Abstract

In this paper, we propose and investigate the modal characteristics of wedge surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguides for guiding surface plasmon waves. The wedge SPP waveguides are composed of a silver layer deposited onto the surface of a wedge-shaped silicon dielectric waveguide. The [...] Read more.

In this paper, we propose and investigate the modal characteristics of wedge surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguides for guiding surface plasmon waves. The wedge SPP waveguides are composed of a silver layer deposited onto the surface of a wedge-shaped silicon dielectric waveguide. The wedge-shaped silicon dielectric waveguides are explored from the anisotropic wet etching property of single crystal silicon. The wedge SPP waveguides are embedded in a dielectric medium to form the metal–dielectric interface for guiding the surface plasmon waves. The propagation characteristics of the wedge SPP waveguides at the optical telecommunication wavelength of 1.55 μm are evaluated by a numerical simulation. The influence of the physical parameters such as the dimensions of the wedge SPP waveguide and the refractive index of the dielectric medium on the propagation of the surface plasmon wave is investigated. In addition, by comparing the propagation characteristics, we derive the wedge SPP waveguide with the optimal performance. Full article

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9 pages, 2147 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal Distribution Measurement of the Parametric Spectral Gain in a Photonic Crystal Fiber Pumped by a Chirped Pulse

by Coralie Fourcade-Dutin, Antonio Imperio, Romain Dauliat, Raphael Jamier, Hector Muñoz-Marco, Pere Pérez-Millán, Hervé Maillotte, Philippe Roy and Damien Bigourd

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010020 - 26 Feb 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3052

Abstract

The temporal distribution of the spectral parametric gain was experimentally investigated when a chirped pump pulse was injected into a photonic crystal fiber. A pump-probe experiment was developed and the important characteristics were measured as the chirp of the pump, the signal pulse, [...] Read more.

The temporal distribution of the spectral parametric gain was experimentally investigated when a chirped pump pulse was injected into a photonic crystal fiber. A pump-probe experiment was developed and the important characteristics were measured as the chirp of the pump, the signal pulse, and the gain of the parametric amplifier. We highlight that the amplified spectrum depends strongly on the instantaneous pump wavelength and that the temporal evolution of the wavelength at maximum gain is not monotonic. This behavior is significantly different from the case in which the chirped pump has a constant peak power. This measurement will be very important to efficiently include parametric amplifiers in laser systems delivering ultra-short pulses. Full article

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(a) Second order dispersion term as a function of the wavelength. Inset. Input facet of the PCF measured with a scanning electron microscope. (b) Normalized pump spectrum of a chirped pulse with a Gaussian shape (black line) or with the experimental profile (red line). Full article ">Figure 2
Phase matching as a function of the pump wavelength for a chirped pulse with a Gaussian spectrum (solid red and blue lines) or with the experimental profile (dashed red and blue lines). The maximum power was 600 W (red lines) or 200 W (blue lines). The magenta and cyan lines correspond to the phase matching for a constant peak power of 600 W or 200 W, respectively. Full article ">Figure 3
Experimental set-up. VBG, volume Bragg grating; AOM, acoustooptic modulator; YDFA, ytterbium doped fiber amplifier; OSA, optical spectrum analyzer; PCF, photonic crystal fiber; ANDI, all normal dispersion fiber; BS, beam splitter; M, mirror; P, polarizer; DM, dichroic mirror; FM, flipped mirror. Full article ">Figure 4
(a) Fluorescence spectrum when the PCF is pumped by 31 mW (black line). Output spectrum when the signal is injected at null delay (blue line). (b) Spectrum of the continuum generated in the ANDI fiber (black line) and spectrum of the signal (red line). (c) Autocorrelation trace (red stars) and the Gaussian fit (solid black line) of the signal. Full article ">Figure 5
(a) Measurement of the chirp rate by spectral interferometry and its linear fit leading to α = 6.2 ps/nm. The inset is an example of the interference pattern. (b) Temporal shape of the pump pulse. Full article ">Figure 6
(a,b) Selection of amplified and idler spectra when the delay is tuned from −6.6 ps to +19.8 ps. (c,d) Variation of the signal and idler wavelengths at the maximum amplification as a function of the delay. Full article ">Figure 7
Maximum gain value (red circles) and its corresponding signal wavelength (black circles) as a function of the delay. Full article ">

14 pages, 3420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Modified Design of a Hexagonal Circular Photonic Crystal Fiber with Large Negative Dispersion Properties and Ultrahigh Birefringence for Optical Broadband Communication

by Shovasis Kumar Biswas, Rishad Arfin, Ashfia Binte Habib, Syed Bin Amir, Zunayeed Bin Zahir, Mohammad Rezaul Islam and Md. Shahriar Hussain

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010019 - 25 Feb 2019

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5553

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a modified design of a hexagonal circular photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF) which obtains a large negative dispersion and ultrahigh birefringence simultaneously. The optical properties of the proposed HC-PCF were investigated using the finite element method (FEM) incorporated with [...] Read more.

In this paper, we propose a modified design of a hexagonal circular photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF) which obtains a large negative dispersion and ultrahigh birefringence simultaneously. The optical properties of the proposed HC-PCF were investigated using the finite element method (FEM) incorporated with a circular perfectly matched layer at the boundary. The simulation results showed large negative dispersion of −1044 ps/nm.km and ultrahigh birefringence of 4.321 × 10⁻² at the operating wavelength of 1550 nm for the optimum geometrical parameters. Our proposed HC-PCF exhibited the desirable optical properties without non-circular air holes in the core and cladding region which facilitates the fabrication process. The large negative dispersion of the proposed microstructure over the wide spectral range, i.e., 1350 nm to 1600 nm, and high birefringence make it a suitable candidate for high-speed optical broadband communication and different sensing applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lightwave Communications and Optical Networks)

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14 pages, 15136 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Subwavelength Hexahedral Plasmonic Scatterers: History, Symmetries, and Resonant Characteristics

by Dimitrios Tzarouchis, Pasi Ylä-Oijala and Ari Sihvola

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010018 - 25 Feb 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3277

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the resonant characteristics of hexahedral (cubical) inclusions at the plasmonic domain. After an introduction to the notion of superquadric surfaces, i.e., surfaces that model various versions of a rounded cube, we present the main resonant spectrum and the [...] Read more.

In this work, we investigate the resonant characteristics of hexahedral (cubical) inclusions at the plasmonic domain. After an introduction to the notion of superquadric surfaces, i.e., surfaces that model various versions of a rounded cube, we present the main resonant spectrum and the surface distributions for two particular cases of a smooth and a sharp cube in the plasmonic domain. We present a historical comparative overview of the main contributions available since the 1970s. A new categorization scheme of the resonances of a cube is introduced, based on symmetry considerations. The obtained results are compared against several recent works, exposing that the higher-order modes are extremely susceptible to both the choice of sharpness of the cube and the modeling mesh. This work can be readily used as a reference for both historical and contemporary studies of the plasmonic aspects of a cube. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metamaterials for Advanced Photonic and Plasmonic Applications – Selected Papers from Metamaterials’2018)

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10 pages, 2525 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Novel Microtiter Plate Format High Power Open Source LED Array

by Heike Kagel, Hannes Jacobs, Frank F. Bier, Jörn Glökler and Marcus Frohme

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010017 - 25 Feb 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4853

Abstract

Many photochemical or photobiological applications require the use of high power ultraviolet light sources, such as high-pressure mercury arc lamps. In addition, many photo-induced chemical, biochemical and biological applications require either a combinatorial setting or a parallel assay of multiple samples under the [...] Read more.

Many photochemical or photobiological applications require the use of high power ultraviolet light sources, such as high-pressure mercury arc lamps. In addition, many photo-induced chemical, biochemical and biological applications require either a combinatorial setting or a parallel assay of multiple samples under the same environmental conditions to ensure reproducibility. To achieve this, alternative, controllable light sources, such as ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs) with high power and spatial control are required. Preferably, LEDs are arranged in a suitable standardized 96-well microtiter plate format. We designed such an array and established the methods required for heat management and enabling stable, controllable illumination over time. Full article

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Figure 1
Schematic overview of Setup 1. Left side CAD drawn design (a), (b) photograph from top view, (c) setup 1 with mounted microtiter plate. Red rectangle in a) indicates the row were IR images were recorded. The setup consisted of 3 × 6 LEDs. Each row was powered by a LDD-700 L constant-current source, and could be individually controlled by a microcontroller. Full article ">Figure 2
Schematic overview of setup 2. (a) shows the CAD design, (b) a photograph from setup 2. Red rectangle in a) indicates the row were IR images were recorded. Full article ">Figure 3
Schematic overview of setup 3, (a) shows the CAD design, (b) a photograph from setup 2. Red rectangle in a) indicates the row were IR images were recorded. Full article ">Figure 4
LED emission intensity measurement setup. Full article ">Figure 5
Casing Temperature of the three different setups when using LEDs in CW mode after 5 min with different fixing methods (a) with thermal conductive tape in setup 1 (b) left thermal conductive tape, right thermal conductive adhesive paste in setup 2 (c) thermal conductive adhesive paste with radial fans on in setup 3. Full article ">Figure 6
Light intensities recorded of (a) setup 1, (b) setup 2, (c) setup 3 without radial fans turned on and (d) setup 3 with radial fans turned on. Full article ">

13 pages, 379 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optical Space Switches in Data Centers: Issues with Transport Protocols

by Mamun Abu-Tair, Philip Perry, Philip Morrow, Sally McClean, Bryan Scotney, Gerard Parr and Md Israfil Biswas

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010016 - 22 Feb 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3209

Abstract

A number of new architectures for data centre networks employing reconfigurable, SDN controlled, all-optical networks have been reported in recent years. In most cases, additional capacity was added to the system which unsurprisingly improved performance. In this study, a generalised network model that [...] Read more.

A number of new architectures for data centre networks employing reconfigurable, SDN controlled, all-optical networks have been reported in recent years. In most cases, additional capacity was added to the system which unsurprisingly improved performance. In this study, a generalised network model that emulates the behaviour of these types of network was developed but where the total capacity is maintained constant so that system behaviour can be understood. An extensive emulated study is presented which indicates that the reconfiguration of such a network can have a detrimental impact on Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) congestion control mechanisms that can degrade the performance of the system. A number of simple scheduling mechanisms were investigated and the results show that an on-demand scheduling mechanism could deliver a throughput increase of more than ∼50% without any increase in total installed network capacity. These results, therefore, indicate the need to link the network resource management with new datacentre network architectures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lightwave Communications and Optical Networks)

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13 pages, 1097 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

International System of Units (SI) Traceable Noise-Equivalent Power and Responsivity Characterization of Continuous Wave ErAs:InGaAs Photoconductive Terahertz Detectors

by Anuar de Jesus Fernandez Olvera, Axel Roggenbuck, Katja Dutzi, Nico Vieweg, Hong Lu, Arthur C. Gossard and Sascha Preu

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010015 - 13 Feb 2019

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4766

Abstract

A theoretical model for the responsivity and noise-equivalent power (NEP) of photoconductive antennas (PCAs) as coherent, homodyne THz detectors is presented. The model is validated by comparison to experimental values obtained for two ErAs:InGaAs PCAs. The responsivity and NEP were obtained from the [...] Read more.

A theoretical model for the responsivity and noise-equivalent power (NEP) of photoconductive antennas (PCAs) as coherent, homodyne THz detectors is presented. The model is validated by comparison to experimental values obtained for two ErAs:InGaAs PCAs. The responsivity and NEP were obtained from the measured rectified current, the current noise floor in the PCAs, and the incoming THz power for the same conditions. Since the THz power measurements are performed with a pyroelectric detector calibrated by the National Metrology Institute of Germany (PTB), the experimentally obtained values are directly traceable to the International System of Units (SI) for the described conditions. The agreement between the presented model and the experimental results is excellent using only one fitting parameter. A very low NEP of 1.8 fW/Hz at 188.8 GHz is obtained at room temperature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Photonics)

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Figure 1
Geometric layout of the finger electrode (black) structure on the photoconductive material (blue) with geometric variables as defined in the text: (a) Top view (b) Cross-sectional view (red lines depict the field lines across the gap). Full article ">Figure 2
Equivalent circuit of the receiving antenna including the incoming THz wave with power <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <msub> <mi>P</mi> <mrow> <mi>T</mi> <mi>H</mi> <mi>z</mi> </mrow> </msub> <mrow> <mo>(</mo> <mi>f</mi> <mo>)</mo> </mrow> </mrow> </semantics></math>, the antenna and the photoconductor. The value of <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <msub> <mi>U</mi> <mrow> <mi>T</mi> <mi>H</mi> <mi>z</mi> </mrow> </msub> <mrow> <mo>(</mo> <mi>f</mi> <mo>)</mo> </mrow> </mrow> </semantics></math> is the Thevenin equivalent open-circuit voltage source, as defined in [<a href="#B16-photonics-06-00015" class="html-bibr">16</a>]. Full article ">Figure 3
Experimental setup for the measurements. For THz power measurement, the detector was a pyroelectric device, calibrated by the PTB. For the THz current measurements, it was replaced by the PCAs. Full article ">Figure 4
Squared detected THz current versus measured THz power for PCA B. The fitted responsivity <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>S</mi> <mo>(</mo> <mi>f</mi> <mo>)</mo> </mrow> </semantics></math> (shown in dashed lines) was equated to Equation (<a href="#FD10-photonics-06-00015" class="html-disp-formula">10</a>) in order to obtain the effective THz effiency <math display="inline"><semantics> <msubsup> <mi>η</mi> <mrow> <mi>T</mi> <mi>H</mi> <mi>z</mi> </mrow> <mrow> <mi>e</mi> <mi>f</mi> <mi>f</mi> </mrow> </msubsup> </semantics></math>. The minimum THz power that could be measured was limited by the sensitivity of the PTB calibrated detector (1 <math display="inline"><semantics> <mi>μ</mi> </semantics></math>W). Full article ">Figure 5
Comparison between the calculated and experimentally obtained responsivities of (a) PCA A (b) PCA B. <math display="inline"><semantics> <msubsup> <mi>η</mi> <mrow> <mi>T</mi> <mi>H</mi> <mi>z</mi> </mrow> <mrow> <mi>e</mi> <mi>f</mi> <mi>f</mi> </mrow> </msubsup> </semantics></math> is assumed frequency-independent. Full article ">Figure 6
Comparison between the calculated (<math display="inline"><semantics> <msubsup> <mi>η</mi> <mrow> <mi>T</mi> <mi>H</mi> <mi>z</mi> </mrow> <mrow> <mi>e</mi> <mi>f</mi> <mi>f</mi> </mrow> </msubsup> </semantics></math> = 0.012, <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <msub> <mi>I</mi> <mrow> <mi>n</mi> <mi>o</mi> <mi>i</mi> <mi>s</mi> <mi>e</mi> </mrow> </msub> <mo>=</mo> <msub> <mi>I</mi> <mrow> <mi>t</mi> <mi>h</mi> <mi>e</mi> <mi>r</mi> <mi>m</mi> </mrow> </msub> </mrow> </semantics></math>), the ideal (with <math display="inline"><semantics> <msubsup> <mi>η</mi> <mrow> <mi>T</mi> <mi>H</mi> <mi>z</mi> </mrow> <mrow> <mi>e</mi> <mi>f</mi> <mi>f</mi> </mrow> </msubsup> </semantics></math> = 1, <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <msub> <mi>I</mi> <mrow> <mi>n</mi> <mi>o</mi> <mi>i</mi> <mi>s</mi> <mi>e</mi> </mrow> </msub> <mo>=</mo> <msub> <mi>I</mi> <mrow> <mi>t</mi> <mi>h</mi> <mi>e</mi> <mi>r</mi> <mi>m</mi> </mrow> </msub> </mrow> </semantics></math>), and the experimentally obtained NEPs for PCA A and B. The figure also shows the ideal performance of PCA C. Full article ">Figure A1
Measured THz powers emitted by the pin diode for the characterization of PCA A and B. Full article ">Figure A2
Comparison between the experimentally obtained and the calculated rectified current of PCA A and B. Full article ">

11 pages, 892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Grating Lobes in Higher-Order Correlation Functions of Arrays of Quantum Emitters: Directional Photon Bunching Versus Correlated Directions

by Iñigo Liberal, Iñigo Ederra and Richard W. Ziolkowski

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010014 - 12 Feb 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3607

Abstract

Recent advances in nanofabrication and optical manipulation techniques are making it possible to build arrays of quantum emitters with accurate control over the locations of their individual elements. In analogy with classical antenna arrays, this poses new opportunities for tailoring quantum interference effects [...] Read more.

Recent advances in nanofabrication and optical manipulation techniques are making it possible to build arrays of quantum emitters with accurate control over the locations of their individual elements. In analogy with classical antenna arrays, this poses new opportunities for tailoring quantum interference effects by designing the geometry of the array. Here, we investigate the

N^{th}

-order directional correlation function of the photons emitted by an array of N initially-excited identical quantum emitters, addressing the impact of the appearance of grating lobes. Our analysis reveals that the absence of directivity in the first-order correlation function is contrasted by an enhanced directivity in the

N^{th}

-order one. This suggests that the emitted light consists of a superposition of directionally entangled photon bunches. Moreover, the photon correlation landscape changes radically with the appearance of grating lobes. In fact, the photons no longer tend to be bunched along the same direction; rather, they are distributed in a set of correlated directions with equal probability. These results clarify basic aspects of light emission from ensembles of quantum emitters. Furthermore, they may find applications in the design of nonclassical light sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metamaterials for Advanced Photonic and Plasmonic Applications – Selected Papers from Metamaterials’2018)

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40 pages, 14703 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Recent Trends and Advances of Silicon-Based Integrated Microwave Photonics

by Reza Maram, Saket Kaushal, José Azaña and Lawrence R Chen

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010013 - 30 Jan 2019

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 9664

Abstract

Multitude applications of photonic devices and technologies for the generation and manipulation of arbitrary and random microwave waveforms, at unprecedented processing speeds, have been proposed in the literature over the past three decades. This class of photonic applications for microwave engineering is known [...] Read more.

Multitude applications of photonic devices and technologies for the generation and manipulation of arbitrary and random microwave waveforms, at unprecedented processing speeds, have been proposed in the literature over the past three decades. This class of photonic applications for microwave engineering is known as microwave photonics (MWP). The vast capabilities of MWP have allowed the realization of key functionalities which are either highly complex or simply not possible in the microwave domain alone. Recently, this growing field has adopted the integrated photonics technologies to develop microwave photonic systems with enhanced robustness as well as with a significant reduction of size, cost, weight, and power consumption. In particular, silicon photonics technology is of great interest for this aim as it offers outstanding possibilities for integration of highly-complex active and passive photonic devices, permitting monolithic integration of MWP with high-speed silicon electronics. In this article, we present a review of recent work on MWP functions developed on the silicon platform. We particularly focus on newly reported designs for signal modulation, arbitrary waveform generation, filtering, true-time delay, phase shifting, beam steering, and frequency measurement. Full article

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9 pages, 1637 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Terahertz-Microfluidic Chip with a Few Arrays of Asymmetric Meta-Atoms for the Ultra-Trace Sensing of Solutions

by Kazunori Serita, Hironaru Murakami, Iwao Kawayama and Masayoshi Tonouchi

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010012 - 30 Jan 2019

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 6506

Abstract

Biosensing with terahertz (THz) waves has received large amounts of attention due to its potential to detect the functional expression of biomolecules in a label-free fashion. However, many practical challenges against the diffraction limit of THz waves and the strong absorption of THz [...] Read more.

Biosensing with terahertz (THz) waves has received large amounts of attention due to its potential to detect the functional expression of biomolecules in a label-free fashion. However, many practical challenges against the diffraction limit of THz waves and the strong absorption of THz waves into polar solvents still remain in the development of compact biosensors. Here, we present a non-linear, optical, crystal-based THz-microfluidic chip with a few arrays of asymmetric meta-atoms, an elementary unit of metamaterials, for the measurement of trace amounts of solution samples. A near-field THz emission source, that is locally generated in the process of optical rectification at a fs (femtosecond) laser irradiation spot, induces a sharp Fano resonance and modifies the resonance frequency of the meta-atoms when the channel is filled with solution samples of different concentrations. Using this chip, we successfully detected minute changes in the concentration of trace amounts of mineral water and aqueous sugar solutions by monitoring the shift in the resonance frequency. A higher detectable sensitivity of 1.4 fmol of solute in a 128 pL volume of solution was achieved. This was an improvement of one order of magnitude in the sensitivity compared to our previous experiment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Photonics)

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12 pages, 6513 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Bio-Compatible Fiber Optic pH Sensor Based on a Thin Core Interferometric Technique

by Magnus Engholm, Krister Hammarling, Henrik Andersson, Mats Sandberg and Hans-Erik Nilsson

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010011 - 30 Jan 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4575

Abstract

There is an increasing demand for compact, reliable and versatile sensor concepts for pH-level monitoring within several industrial, chemical as well as bio-medical applications. Many pH sensors concepts have been proposed, however, there is still a need for improved sensor solutions with respect [...] Read more.

There is an increasing demand for compact, reliable and versatile sensor concepts for pH-level monitoring within several industrial, chemical as well as bio-medical applications. Many pH sensors concepts have been proposed, however, there is still a need for improved sensor solutions with respect to reliability, durability and miniaturization but also for multiparameter sensing. Here we present a conceptual verification, which includes theoretical simulations as well as experimental evaluation of a fiber optic pH-sensor based on a bio-compatible pH sensitive material not previously used in this context. The fiber optic sensor is based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometric technique, where the pH sensitive material is coated on a short, typically 20-25 mm thin core fiber spliced between two standard single mode fibers. The working principle of the sensor is simulated by using COMSOL Multiphysics. The simulations are used as a guideline for the construction of the sensors that have been experimentally evaluated in different liquids with pH ranging from 1.95 to 11.89. The results are promising, showing the potential for the development of bio-compatible fiber optic pH sensor with short response time, high sensitivity and broad measurement range. The developed sensor concept can find future use in many medical- or bio-chemical applications as well as in environmental monitoring of large areas. Challenges encountered during the sensor development due to variation in the design parameters are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optical Materials and Devices)

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8 pages, 1087 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nearly Single-Cycle Terahertz Pulse Generation in Aperiodically Poled Lithium Niobate

by Yuri Avetisyan and Masayoshi Tonouchi

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010009 - 27 Jan 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3576

Abstract

In the present work, an opportunity of nearly single-cycle THz pulse generation in aperiodically poled lithium niobate (APPLN) crystal is studied. A radiating antenna model is used to simulate the THz generation from chirped APPLN crystal pumped by a sequence of femtosecond laser [...] Read more.

In the present work, an opportunity of nearly single-cycle THz pulse generation in aperiodically poled lithium niobate (APPLN) crystal is studied. A radiating antenna model is used to simulate the THz generation from chirped APPLN crystal pumped by a sequence of femtosecond laser pulses with chirped delays (m = 1, 2, 3 …) between adjacent pulses. It is shown that by appropriately choosing Δt_m, it is possible to obtain temporal overlap of all THz pulses generated from positive (or negative) domains. This results in the formation of a nearly single-cycle THz pulse if the chirp rate of domain length δ in the crystal is sufficiently large. In the opposite case, a few cycle THz pulses are generated with the number of the cycles depending on δ. The closed-form expression for the THz pulse form is obtained. The peak THz electric field strength of 0.3 MV/cm is predicted for APPLN crystal pumped by a sequence of laser pulses with peak intensities of the separate pulse in the sequence of about 20 GW/cm². By focusing the THz beam and increasing the pump power, the field strength can reach values in the order of few MV/cm. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Photonics)

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Figure 1
The schematic illustration of APPLN crystal, where white and dark colors are used for regions with opposite sign of nonlinear coefficient d33. Full article ">Figure 2
The temporal forms of THz pulses generated in the APPLN crystal by original laser pulse (red line) and its replicas delayed at Δt2 (blue curve) and Δt3 (green curve). The dashed line indicates nearly perfect overlapping of the fields radiated from the first three positive domains, when they are excited by laser pulses with the delays of Δt1 = 0, Δt2, and Δt3. Full article ">Figure 3
(a) Temporal forms of THz pulses generated in APPLN structures having different δ = 1.6 μm (red curve), δ = 0.8 μm (blue curve) and δ = 0.5 (green curve), respectively. The temporal forms are offset on the ordinate axis for clarity. In each case the crystal is pumped by the sequence of the laser pulses having delays Δτm with m = 1, 2, 3,…16. (b) Format of the pump pulses used for cases δ = 1.6 (red line) and δ = 0.8 (blue line), respectively. Full article ">Figure 4
The spectra of THz generation in chirped APPLN crystal for the cases of δ = 1.6 µm (red curve) and δ = 0.8 µm (blue curve). Full article ">

10 pages, 3484 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Imaging of Chemical Reactions Using a Terahertz Chemical Microscope

by Toshihiko Kiwa, Tatsuki Kamiya, Taiga Morimoto, Kentaro Fujiwara, Yuki Maeno, Yuki Akiwa, Masahiro Iida, Taihei Kuroda, Kenji Sakai, Hidetoshi Nose, Masaki Kobayashi and Keiji Tsukada

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010010 - 27 Jan 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3908

Abstract

This study develops a terahertz (THz) chemical microscope (TCM) that visualizes the distribution of chemical reaction on a silicon-based sensing chip. This chip, called the sensing plate, was fabricated by depositing Si thin films on a sapphire substrate and thermally oxidizing the [...] Read more.

This study develops a terahertz (THz) chemical microscope (TCM) that visualizes the distribution of chemical reaction on a silicon-based sensing chip. This chip, called the sensing plate, was fabricated by depositing Si thin films on a sapphire substrate and thermally oxidizing the Si film surface. The Si thin film of the sensing plate was irradiated from the substrate side by a femtosecond laser, generating THz pulses that were radiated into free space through the surface field effect of the Si thin film. The surface field responds to chemical reactions on the surface of the sensing plate, changing the amplitude of the THz pulses. This paper first demonstrates the principle and experimental setup of the TCM and performs the imaging and measurement of chemical reactions, including the reactions of bio-related materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Photonics)

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7 pages, 5431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Holography Using Curved Metasurfaces

by James Burch and Andrea Di Falco

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010008 - 26 Jan 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5332

Abstract

In this work, we demonstrate nonflat metasurface holograms with applications in imaging, sensing, and anticounterfeiting. For these holograms, the image and its symmetry properties, with respect to the polarization of the light, depend on the specific shape of the substrate. Additionally, the sensitivity [...] Read more.

In this work, we demonstrate nonflat metasurface holograms with applications in imaging, sensing, and anticounterfeiting. For these holograms, the image and its symmetry properties, with respect to the polarization of the light, depend on the specific shape of the substrate. Additionally, the sensitivity of the holographic image to the substrate shape can be engineered by distributing the phase information into determined areas of the metasurface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metamaterials for Advanced Photonic and Plasmonic Applications – Selected Papers from Metamaterials’2018)

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Graphical abstract

Graphical abstract
Full article ">Figure 1
Light propagation from <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <msub> <mi mathvariant="bold">r</mi> <mi>O</mi> </msub> <mrow> <mo>(</mo> <msub> <mi>x</mi> <mi>O</mi> </msub> <mo>,</mo> <msub> <mi>y</mi> <mi>O</mi> </msub> <mo>,</mo> <msub> <mi>z</mi> <mi>O</mi> </msub> <mo>)</mo> </mrow> </mrow> </semantics></math> to <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <msub> <mi mathvariant="bold">r</mi> <mi>I</mi> </msub> <mrow> <mo>(</mo> <msub> <mi>x</mi> <mi>I</mi> </msub> <mo>,</mo> <msub> <mi>y</mi> <mi>I</mi> </msub> <mo>,</mo> <msub> <mi>z</mi> <mi>I</mi> </msub> <mo>)</mo> </mrow> </mrow> </semantics></math> using the Rayleigh–Sommerfeld equation. The holographic image originates from the metasurface (MS) and is projected onto the screen. Full article ">Figure 2
(a) The nanorods comprising the MS and imaged with SEM after the membrane was lifted from the rigid initial substrate; (b) An experimental image displaying an MS conformed to a nonflat surface. The central patterned area appears darker due to the reduced reflectivity with respect to the surrounding region. Full article ">Figure 3
Experimental holographic images where (a,b) were illuminated with right-handed (RCP) and (c,d) with left-handed circular polarizations (LCP), respectively, with <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>λ</mi> <mtext> </mtext> <mo>=</mo> <mtext> </mtext> <mn>630</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math> nm. (a,c) used a concave substrate with a radius of curvature of 6 mm; (b,d) used a convex substrate with the same radius of curvature. The LCP images are rotated 180 degrees in the holographic image plane compared to the RCP images. Full article ">Figure 4
Simulated and experimental holographic image results, comparing MS designed for various convex cylinders with differing radii of curvature. In each case, the MS was analyzed as being applied to a convex cylinder with a radius of curvature of 6 mm and <math display="inline"><semantics> <mrow> <mi>λ</mi> <mtext> </mtext> <mo>=</mo> <mtext> </mtext> <mn>630</mn> </mrow> </semantics></math> nm. For the experimental results, the scale bar represents 10 mm. The numbers correspond to the correlation coefficient, where 1 is perfect correlation. Full article ">Figure 5
The fabrication steps for our MS. (a) Spinning a lift-off layer and a thick SU-8 manipulation layer; (b) evaporation of two layers of gold spaced by an SU-8 layer; (c) spinning, electron beam exposure, and development of an SU-8 resist layer; (d) dry etching to remove unmasked gold and dissolving the Omnicoat layer. Full article ">

26 pages, 7761 KiB

Open AccessArticle

THz Mixing with High-T_C Hot Electron Bolometers: A Performance Modeling Assessment for Y-Ba-Cu-O Devices

by Romain Ladret, Annick Dégardin, Vishal Jagtap and Alain Kreisler

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010007 - 25 Jan 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4235

Abstract

Hot electron bolometers (HEB) made from high-T_C superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O₇_–x (YBCO) oxide nano-constrictions are promising THz mixers, due to their expected wide bandwidth, large mixing gain, and low intrinsic noise. The challenge for YBCO resides, [...] Read more.

Hot electron bolometers (HEB) made from high-T_C superconducting YBa₂Cu₃O₇_–x (YBCO) oxide nano-constrictions are promising THz mixers, due to their expected wide bandwidth, large mixing gain, and low intrinsic noise. The challenge for YBCO resides, however, in the chemical reactivity of the material and the related aging effects. In this paper, we model and simulate the frequency dependent performance of YBCO HEBs operating as THz mixers. We recall first the main hypotheses of our hot spot model taking into account both the RF frequency effects in the YBCO superconducting transition and the nano-constriction impedance at THz frequencies. The predicted performance up to 4 THz is given in terms of double sideband noise temperature T_DSB and conversion gain G. At 2.5 THz for instance, T_DSB ≅ 1000 K and G ≅ − 6 dB could be achieved at 12.5 μW local oscillator power. We then consider a standoff target detection scheme and examine the feasibility with YBCO devices. For instance, detection at 3 m through cotton cloth in passive imaging mode could be readily achieved in moderate humidity conditions with 10 K resolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terahertz Photonics)

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13 pages, 6890 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Multi-Spectral Quantum Cascade Lasers on Silicon With Integrated Multiplexers

by Eric J. Stanton, Alexander Spott, Jon Peters, Michael L. Davenport, Aditya Malik, Nicolas Volet, Junqian Liu, Charles D. Merritt, Igor Vurgaftman, Chul Soo Kim, Jerry R. Meyer and John E. Bowers

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010006 - 24 Jan 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5388

Abstract

Multi-spectral midwave-infrared (mid-IR) lasers are demonstrated by directly bonding quantum cascade epitaxial gain layers to silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides with arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexers. Arrays of distributed feedback (DFB) and distributed Bragg-reflection (DBR) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) emitting at ∼4.7 µm wavelength are [...] Read more.

Multi-spectral midwave-infrared (mid-IR) lasers are demonstrated by directly bonding quantum cascade epitaxial gain layers to silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides with arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexers. Arrays of distributed feedback (DFB) and distributed Bragg-reflection (DBR) quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) emitting at ∼4.7 µm wavelength are coupled to AWGs on the same chip. Low-loss spectral beam combining allows for brightness scaling by coupling the light generated by multiple input QCLs into the fundamental mode of a single output waveguide. Promising results are demonstrated and further improvements are in progress. This device can lead to compact and sensitive chemical detection systems using absorption spectroscopy across a broad spectral range in the mid-IR as well as a high-brightness multi-spectral source for power scaling. Full article

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2 pages, 153 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Photonics in 2018

by Photonics Editorial Office

Photonics 2019, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics6010005 - 24 Jan 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1866

Abstract

Rigorous peer-review is the corner-stone of high-quality academic publishing [...] Full article

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Photonics, Volume 6, Issue 1 (March 2019) – 34 articles

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