Chip-scale optical parametric oscillators

目的：利用标准光刻工具，研究由单片片上纳米波导制成的3微米至12微米波段的光学参量振荡器(OPO)激光器。具体地说，我们提出了一种OPO，它(1)被实现为具有集成布拉格反射器的单片光刻定义的波导；(2)采用形式的双折射结构来进行相位匹配；以及(3)具有三重谐振腔。这三种元件的结合对于创造廉价而高效的OPO源是必要的。智力上的优点：就我们所知，相位匹配形式的双折射光波导还没有被用于谐振纳米空间来产生OPO。据我们所知，三重共振OPO腔也没有实现，甚至双共振器件也是相对较新的。因此，建议的研究具有变革性，因为它将促进对以下方面的基本理解：(1)多谐振形双折射波导腔中的参数振荡；(2)适合于大规模制造此类腔的材料和工艺，从而产生片上中红外OPO激光源；(3)谐振腔中非线性相互作用的数值模拟，以及与多共振结构设计相关的数值优化方法。广泛影响：所提出的紧凑且廉价的片上中红外光源的发展将促进光谱仪器的进步，并应用于环境科学、污染监测、化学威胁检测等领域。该项目还将在研究生和本科生的科学和工程人力资源的教育、推广和开发方面发挥重要作用。

Objective: We propose to study Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) laser sources for the 3 um to 12 um band fabricated as monolithic on-chip nanowaveguides using standard lithographic tools. Specifically, we propose an OPO that (1) is implemented as a monolithic, lithographically defined waveguide with integral Bragg reflectors;(2) employs form birefringent structures for phase matching; and (3) has a triply resonant cavity. The combination of all three of these elements is necessary to create inexpensive and efficient OPO sources.Intellectual Merit: To the best of our knowledge, phase-matched form birefringent waveguides have not yet been exploited in resonant nanocavities to create OPOs. Triply resonant OPO cavities also, to the best of our knowledge, have not been realized, and even doubly-resonant devices are relatively recent. Therefore the proposed research is transformative in nature as it will advance the fundamental understanding of (1) parametric oscillation in multiply-resonant form-birefringent waveguide cavities, (2) materials and processes that may be suitable for mass fabrication of such cavities, leading to on-chip mid-infrared OPO laser sources, and (3) numerical modeling of nonlinear interaction in resonant cavities, and numerical optimization methods relating to the design of multiply-resonant structures.Broader impact: The development of the proposed compact and inexpensive on-chip mid-infrared source will lead to advances in spectroscopic instrumentation, with applications to environmental science, pollution monitoring, chemical threat detection and other areas. The project will also play a significant role in the education, outreach and development of human resources in science and engineering at the graduate and undergraduate levels.