NER/SNB: Investigation of Nonlinear Nanophotonics in Low-Threshold Nanomaterial Optical Interconnect Switches

本研究的目的是研究基于非线性光子晶体纳米腔开关的有源纳米级光互连。有源光互连构成了CMOS微电子芯片上可重构信息流的基础，具有超低延迟、高带宽、低功耗和高密度集成特性。该方法基于硅纳米腔，可实现即时CMOS兼容性，并插入非线性纳米材料或纳米图案材料，以实现超低开关阈值和高速操作。腔的设计将利用光子晶体纳米晶格的强场增强和材料的相互作用。通过克尔非线性的全光开关也将被探讨。理论设计和概念将通过全三维有限差分时域模拟进行研究，器件将在哥伦比亚制造和表征。就更广泛的影响而言，这一探索性计划解决了持续CMOS VLSI规模化的几个核心问题。因此，它是普遍的兴趣，工程师和科学家活跃在光数据通信和硅微电子学。此外，该计划将支持这些行业的纳米光子学学生的跨学科培训。此外，该计划将参与哥伦比亚大学本科生研究机会计划（UROP），并将与NSF/哥伦比亚国家安全委员会纳米电子学和MRSEC纳米材料计划合作，并提供一个夏季本科生研究经验的支持。2005年秋季学期将举办一系列关于纳米光子学的全校性研讨会，对象是研究生一年级和本科高年级学生，并将举办一系列涉及当地K-12学生的后续活动。

The objective of this research is to investigate active nanoscale optical interconnects,based on nonlinear photonic crystal nanocavity switches. Active optical interconnectsform the basis of a reconfigurable flow of information on CMOS microelectronic chips,with ultralow latency, ultrahigh bandwidth, low power dissipation, and high-densityintegration feasibilities. The approach is based on silicon nanocavities for immediateCMOS compatibility, with insertion of nonlinear nanomaterials or nanopatternedmaterials to achieve ultralow switching thresholds and high-speed operations. The cavitydesigns will take advantage of photonic crystal nanolattices for strong field enhancementsand material interactions. All-optical switching through Kerr nonlinearities will also beexplored. Theoretical designs and concepts will be investigated via full three-dimensionalfinite-difference time-domain simulations, and devices will be fabricated andcharacterized at Columbia.In terms of broader impact, this exploratory program addresses several of the core issuesfor continued CMOS VLSI scaling. It is thus of general interest for engineers andscientists active in optical data communication and silicon microelectronics. The program,in addition, will support the interdisciplinary training of students in nanophotonics forthese industries. Moreover, the program will participate in the Columbia UndergraduateResearch Opportunities Program (UROP) and will partner with the NSF/Columbia NSECNanoelectronics and MRSEC Nanomaterial programs with the support of one summerundergraduate research experience. A university-wide seminar series on Nanophotonicswill be developed for the Fall 2005 semester, targeted at first-year graduate students andundergraduate seniors, and a series of follow-on activities involving local K-12 studentswill be developed.