Ultra High Capacity WDM Device Based on Novel Phased Array Design and Laser Fabrication of 3-D Optical Waveguides

该提案是根据NSF 03-537高速光通信和网络招标提交和资助的。由于密集波分复用（DWDM）系统提供了非常大的传输容量和新颖的网络架构，因此对该系统的技术兴趣正在迅速增加。波分复用系统的主要组成部分是波长复用器和解复用器，如阵列波导光栅（AWG）。然而，当前AWG器件的容量在给定体积内可以制造的通道数量方面受到限制，因为它们的二维几何结构使用光刻技术以及涉及常规采样和有限使用相位调制的算法。提出的工作将通过结合awg的新设计方法和新型激光制造技术，设计和制造新一代3d awg。用于DWDM的相控阵设备的一个主要瓶颈是允许的自由频谱范围（FSR）。我们将开发一种新型的密集波分复用（DWDM）系统，其中每个波长只有一个有效阶，因此与不同波长对应的通道或图像的数量不会因FSR而受到限制。该方法涉及对线性和/或球形参考波的相位过零进行不规则采样。该方法还允许在AWG通道数量大幅增加的情况下设计3d系统。我们将利用飞秒激光制造技术在三维DWDM系统的设计中实现定期和不定期采样awg。通过将飞秒激光束聚焦在介质中，提高激光焦点处的折射率，并借助三维计算机辅助设计和制造，可以制造出真正意义上的三维波导，这是三维AWG器件的关键部件。为了针对各种误差源进行优化并结合多功能系统行为，我们还将采用迭代最小均方误差方法和闭环制造技术进行衍射光学元件优化。这项工作的成功将对多频谱通信、网络和计算的进步具有很大的潜力。在未来复杂微纳系统中部件通信的进展中，超高容量WDM等主题将更加重要，并且对越来越多的波长的需求将会增加。3D技术的进步将开启全新的可能性，带来巨大的容量增长，以及全新的设计技术。该项目由化学和运输系统部的热传输和热加工项目以及设计、制造和工业创新部的材料加工和制造项目联合发起。

This proposal was submitted and funded in response to solicitation NSF 03-537 High Speed Optical Communications and Networks.Technological interest in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems is fast increasing since DWDM systems offer a very large transmission capacity and new novel network architectures. Major components in DWDM systems are the wavelength multiplexers and demultiplexers, such as arrayed waveguide grating (AWG). However, the capacity of current AWG devices is limited in terms of the number of channels that can be manufactured in a given volume because of their 2-D geometry using lithography techniques as well as algorithms used involving regular sampling and limited use of phase modulation. The proposed work will design and manufacture a new generation, 3-D AWGs by combining novel design methodologies of AWGs and novel laser-based manufacturing techniques. A major bottleneck in phased-array types of devices used in DWDM is the free spectral range (FSR) allowed. We will develop a novel dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) system in which there is only one effective order per wavelength so that the number of channels or images corresponding to different wavelengths is not restricted due to FSR. The method involves irregular sampling of zero-crossings of phase with linear and/or spherical reference waves. This method also allows the design of 3-D systems with a very large increase in the number of AWG channels. We will implement regularly and irregularly sampled AWGs in the design of 3-D DWDM systems using the femtosecond laser manufacturing technology. By focusing a femtosecond laser beam inside a dielectric media to increase the index of refraction at the laser focal point, and with the aid of 3-D computer aided design and manufacturing, truly 3-D waveguides, which are essential parts in the 3-D AWG devices can be fabricated. In order to optimize against various error sources and to incorporate multifunctional system behavior, we will also incorporate diffractive optical elements optimized with iterative minimum mean-squared error methods and a closed loop manufacturing technique.The success of the proposed work will have very high potential for progress in multispectral communications, networking and computing. Topics such as ultra high capacity WDM will be more significant in the upcoming progress for communications of parts in complex micro/nano systems, and the demand for more and more number of wavelengths will increase. Progress in 3D will open up completely new possibilities and bring along tremendous increase in capacity, and totally new design techniques. The project is being jointly sponsored by the Thermal Transport and Thermal Processing Program of the Chemical and Transport Systems Division and the Materials Processing and Manufacturing Program of the Design, Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Division.