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Wilke I, Monahan J, Toroghi S, Rabiei P, Hine G. Thin-film lithium niobate electro-optic terahertz wave detector. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4822. [PMID: 38413657 PMCID: PMC10899242 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55156-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The design, fabrication, and validation of a thin-film lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) electro-optic (EO) time-domain terahertz (THz) wave detector is reported. LNOI offers unprecedented properties for the EO detection of freely propagating THz wave radiation pulses and transient electric fields because of the large EO coefficient of the material, engineering of the velocity matching of the THz wave and optical wave, and much reduced detector size. The proof-of-concept device is realized using thin-film lithium niobate optical waveguides forming a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with interferometer arms electrically poled in opposite directions. THz waves are coupled effectively to the fully dielectric device from free space without using antennas or plasmonics. The detection of THz waves with frequencies up to 800 GHz is successfully demonstrated. The detector allows for the detection of THz frequency electric fields up to 4.6 MV/m. The observed frequency response of the device agrees well with theoretical predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Wilke
- Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
| | - Jackson Monahan
- Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA
| | | | | | - George Hine
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
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Ma X, Cai Z, Zhuang C, Liu X, Zhang Z, Liu K, Cao B, He J, Yang C, Bao C, Zeng R. Integrated microcavity electric field sensors using Pound-Drever-Hall detection. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1386. [PMID: 38360758 PMCID: PMC10869830 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45699-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Discerning weak electric fields has important implications for cosmology, quantum technology, and identifying power system failures. Photonic integration of electric field sensors is highly desired for practical considerations and offers opportunities to improve performance by enhancing microwave and lightwave interactions. Here, we demonstrate a high-Q microcavity electric field sensor (MEFS) by leveraging the silicon chip-based thin film lithium niobate photonic integrated circuits. Using the Pound-Drever-Hall detection scheme, our MEFS achieves a detection sensitivity of 5.2 μV/(m[Formula: see text]), which surpasses previous lithium niobate electro-optical electric field sensors by nearly two orders of magnitude, and is comparable to atom-based quantum sensing approaches. Furthermore, our MEFS has a bandwidth that can be up to three orders of magnitude broader than quantum sensing approaches and measures fast electric field amplitude and phase variations in real-time. The ultra-sensitive MEFSs represent a significant step towards building electric field sensing networks and broaden the application spectrum of integrated microcavities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhaoyu Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chijie Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Xiangdong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhecheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Kewei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Bo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jinliang He
- State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Changxi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Chengying Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Rong Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Power Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
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Liu P, Wen H, Ren L, Shi L, Zhang X. χ (2) nonlinear photonics in integrated microresonators. FRONTIERS OF OPTOELECTRONICS 2023; 16:18. [PMID: 37460874 DOI: 10.1007/s12200-023-00073-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Second-order (χ(2)) optical nonlinearity is one of the most common mechanisms for modulating and generating coherent light in photonic devices. Due to strong photon confinement and long photon lifetime, integrated microresonators have emerged as an ideal platform for investigation of nonlinear optical effects. However, existing silicon-based materials lack a χ(2) response due to their centrosymmetric structures. A variety of novel material platforms possessing χ(2) nonlinearity have been developed over the past two decades. This review comprehensively summarizes the progress of second-order nonlinear optical effects in integrated microresonators. First, the basic principles of χ(2) nonlinear effects are introduced. Afterward, we highlight the commonly used χ(2) nonlinear optical materials, including their material properties and respective functional devices. We also discuss the prospects and challenges of utilizing χ(2) nonlinearity in the field of integrated microcavity photonics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Liu
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Hao Wen
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Linhao Ren
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
- Optics Valley Laboratory, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Xinliang Zhang
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Optics Valley Laboratory, Wuhan, 430074, China
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Wu X, Wang J, Han J, Xie Y, Ge X, Liao J, Yi Y. Design of Suspended Slot Racetrack Microring Refractive Index Sensor Based on Polymer Nanocomposite. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15092113. [PMID: 37177257 PMCID: PMC10180560 DOI: 10.3390/polym15092113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, polymer nanocomposites have attracted great interest due to their remarkable characteristics of high performance and enabling production of low-cost devices. This article explores the reflective index sensing application of the polymer nanocomposite IOC-133, which is a TiOx/polymer nanocomposite with a reflective index between 1.8 and 1.9. Considering the material properties of high reflective index, low absorption loss, and compatibility with nanoimprint lithography, a microring-based reflective index sensor with a suspended slot waveguide structure is proposed. We combined the sensing mechanism of slot waveguides with high reflective index polymer nanocomposites and designed the suspended structure to address the problem of decreasing sensitivity caused by residual layers. The sensing device was adopted as a microring resonator, which is conducive to large-scale integration. The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method was employed to analyze the effects of several key parameters. The results showed that the racetrack microring sensor we propose can achieve a high sensitivity of 436 nm/RIU (Refractive Index Units), about six times higher than the microring sensor with a ridge waveguide. The Q factor of the microring reaches 1.42 × 104, and the detection limit is 1.38 × 10-4 RIU. The proposed suspended slot microring sensor has potential value in the field of nanoprinted photonic integrated circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihan Wu
- College of Integrated Circuits and Optoelectronic Chips, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Jiajun Wang
- College of Integrated Circuits and Optoelectronic Chips, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Jiachen Han
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Yuqi Xie
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Xuyang Ge
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Jianzhi Liao
- College of New Materials and New Energies, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Yunji Yi
- College of Integrated Circuits and Optoelectronic Chips, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen 518118, China
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Li C, Chen B, Ruan Z, Wu H, Zhou Y, Liu J, Chen P, Chen K, Guo C, Liu L. High modulation efficiency and large bandwidth thin-film lithium niobate modulator for visible light. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:36394-36402. [PMID: 36258568 DOI: 10.1364/oe.469065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We experimentally demonstrate an integrated visible light modulator at 532 nm on the thin-film lithium niobate platform. The waveguides on such platform feature a propagation loss of 2.2 dB/mm while a grating for fiber interface has a coupling loss of 5 dB. Our fabricated modulator demonstrates a low voltage-length product of 1.1 V·cm and a large electro-optic bandwidth with a roll-off of -1.59 dB at 25 GHz for a length of 3.3 mm. This device offers a compact and large bandwidth solution to the challenge of integrated visible wavelength modulation in lithium niobate and paves the way for future small-form-factor integrated systems at visible wavelengths.
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Xue Y, Ruan Z, Liu L. Electrode-free photonic electric field sensor on thin film lithium niobate with high sensitivity. OPTICS LETTERS 2022; 47:2097-2100. [PMID: 35427346 DOI: 10.1364/ol.456750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A high-sensitivity electrode-free photonic electric field (E-field) sensor is introduced on a thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform. An integrated Michelson interferometer, constructed by low-loss etched lithium niobite (LN) waveguide structures, is implemented as the sensing element. The sensing arms are designed in a spiral shape, which facilities a long interaction length with the external E-field in a small chip area. A minimal detectable E-field amplitude of 8.43 mV/m/Hz1/2 is experimentally obtained. The metal-electrode-free design of the proposed device avoids affecting the E-field to be measured and enables a vectorial response with a measured extinction ratio (ER) of 38 dB.
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Li Q, Ho CP, Tang H, Okano M, Ikeda K, Takagi S, Takenaka M. Si racetrack optical modulator based on the III-V/Si hybrid MOS capacitor. OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 29:6824-6833. [PMID: 33726194 DOI: 10.1364/oe.418108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We have fabricated a Si racetrack optical modulator based on a III-V/Si hybrid metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) capacitor. The III-V/Si hybrid MOS optical phase shifter was integrated to a Si racetrack resonator with a coupling length of 200 µm and a coupling gap of 700 nm. The fabricated Si racetrack resonator demonstrated a small VπL of 0.059 Vcm. For 10-dB optical intensity modulation, the Si racetrack resonator showed a 60% smaller driving voltage than a Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulator with the same phase shifter, leading to a better balance between high energy efficiency and large modulation bandwidth.
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Bahadori M, Yang Y, Hassanien AE, Goddard LL, Gong S. Ultra-efficient and fully isotropic monolithic microring modulators in a thin-film lithium niobate photonics platform. OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 28:29644-29661. [PMID: 33114859 DOI: 10.1364/oe.400413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The large electro-optic coefficient, r33, of thin-film lithium niobate (LN) on insulator makes it an excellent material platform for high-efficiency optical modulators. Using the fundamental transverse magnetic optical mode in Z-cut LN enables isotropic in-plane devices; however, realizing a strong vertical electric field to capitalize on r33 has been challenging. Here we present a symmetric electrode configuration to boost the vertical field strength inside a fully-etched single-mode LN waveguide. We use this design paradigm to demonstrate an ultra-compact fully isotropic microring modulator with a high electro-optic tuning efficiency of 9 pm/V, extinction ratio of 20 dB, and modulation bandwidth beyond 28 GHz. Under quasi-static operation, the tuning efficiency of the modulator reaches 20 pm/V. Fast, efficient, high-contrast modulation will be critical in future optical communication systems while large quasi-static efficiency will enable post-fabrication trimming, thermal compensation, and even complete reconfiguration of microring-based sensor arrays and photonic integrated circuits.
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