CAREER: Resonant Cavity Nonlinear Photodetectors for Optical Signal Processing

Murphy 0546928非线性光学器件有望在光网络中发挥越来越大的作用，因为它可以用快速的光学工艺取代昂贵的电子元件。 非线性器件面临的一个关键挑战是，它们可能需要不切实际的高功率或长长度来实现充分的相互作用。 提出了一种新型的非线性光探测器，它使用低损耗集成波导和纳米制造的布拉格谐振器来放大非线性相互作用。 潜在的非线性机制是半导体中的双光子吸收：这一过程的应用包括光学自相关、时间解复用、光学采样、光学存储器和时钟恢复。 这项研究可能会导致新一代的超快非线性元件，其工作速度为数百Gb/s，在芯片上占用很少的空间，并且需要不到100微瓦的光输入功率。这个职业奖的教育目标是在课堂和实验室中为学生注入科学的兴奋。 对于K-12学生，将制作一系列基于探究的动手实验，揭示光学和光电设备在日常生活中的使用方式。 对于本科生，参与研究将通过明确的短期夏季和学期研究项目，特别适合本科生促进。 在研究生阶段，PI将继续开发和更新独特的光通信课程，该课程将光纤和集成光学物理学的严格处理与研究项目和数值模拟相结合。

Murphy0546928Nonlinear optical devices are expected to play a growing role in optical networks by replacing costly electronic components with fast optical processes. One critical challenge faced by nonlinear devices is that they can require impractically high power or long lengths to achieve a sufficient interaction. A new type of nonlinear optical detector is proposed that uses low-loss integrated waveguides and nanofabricated Bragg resonators to amplify the nonlinear interaction. The underlying nonlinear mechanism to be exploited is two-photon absorption in semiconductors: a process that has applications including optical autocorrelation, temporal demultiplexing, optical sampling, optical memory, and clock recovery. This research could lead to a new generation of ultrafast nonlinear components that operate at hundreds of Gb/s, occupy very little space on a chip, and require less than 100 microWatts of optical input power.The educational objective of this CAREER award is to imbue students with excitement for science in the classroom and the laboratory. For K-12 students, a series of inquiry-based hands-on experiments will be produced that reveal how optics and optoelectronic devices are used in everyday life. For undergraduate students, involvement in research will be promoted through well-defined short-term summer and semester research projects that are specifically suited for undergraduate students. At the graduate level, the PI will continue to develop and update a unique course in optical communications which combines a rigorous treatment of the physics of fiber and integrated optics with research projects and numerical simulation.