Active Photonic Crystal Devices in Self-Assembled Electro-Optic Polymeric Materials
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Active Photonic Crystal Devices in Self-Assembled Electro-Optic Polymeric Materials J. Li1, P. J. Neyman2, M. Vercellino3, J. R. Heflin2, R. Duncan3, and S. Evoy1 1
Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 2Department of Physics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, and 3Luna Innovations, Blacksburg, VA 24060 ABSTRACT Photonic crystals (PC) offer novel approaches for integrated photonics by allowing the manipulation of light based on the photonic bandgap effect rather than internal-reflection mechanisms employed in traditional devices. Electro-optic polymers represent interesting possibilities for the development of devices leveraging control over the phase of a confined propagating wave. We here report on the development of such active photonic crystal technology in ionically self-assembled monolayers. The simulation of active photonic devices such as Mach-Zehnder interferometers and wavelength multiplexers is first presented. We then report on the synthesis and optical characterization of electro-optic films grown through the ISAM technique. We conclude by presenting the preliminary development of a nanofabrication platform that would enable the realization of active photonic devices in such materials. INTRODUCTION There is an acute need for the development of novel photonic devices that would perform on-chip functions such as signal conditioning and processing, and support the low-cost integration of optical networks. Photonic crystals (PC) offer novel approaches for such integrated technology by allowing the manipulation of light based on the photonic bandgap effect rather than internal-reflection mechanisms employed in traditional devices [1,2]. Several types of photonic crystal devices have already been reported, including waveguides and fibers offering enhanced control over light propagation [3], light emitting diodes showing good suppression of lateral emission [4], as well as laser devices realized through distributed feedback structures [5]. While these devices leveraged the photonic bandgap effect to confine wave propagation, this platform has yet to be implemented in devices that would rather leverage the manipulation of frequency or phase of the propagating wave. Such approach would enable the deployment of photonic crystals in important devices such as Mach-Zehnder Interferometers (MZIs), as well as wavelength multiplexers (MUX’s) and demultiplexers (DeMUX’s). Electro-optic polymers represent interesting possibilities for such development. These flexible and robust materials offer the tunability of their refractive index under the application of electric fields, thus allowing the control over the phase of a confined propagating wave. In addition, electro-optic control of refractive index also offers the tunability over the photonic bandgap effect, and would result in a frequency-selective mechanism that could be leveraged for
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high-speed switching devices. Finally, an integrated phot
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