Ultra-low Energy, Chip-Scale All-Optical Switches Using High-Contrast Grating

目标：目标是开发全光交换，它将从根本上改变光通信的可持续性和可扩展性，雄心勃勃的目标是极低的交换能量和损耗，并适合芯片级集成。智能优点：智能优点包括发明一种新的平台来革新芯片规模的集成光学，特别是全光交换。该平台采用了由两层平行的超薄高折射率对比度光栅(HCG)引导的空芯波导的新概念。HCG具有非凡的低损耗引导机制，使开关介质的体积减少了三个数量级，从而使开关能量降低了几个数量级，速度更快，带宽更宽。这一新平台将带来新的物理学和对集成光电子电路的重大影响。更广泛的影响：拟议的跨学科研究将在设备、系统和光网络之间架起桥梁。PI是综合接入网络中心的成员，NSF ERC的愿景是为光纤接入网络创造变革性的技术。这一拟议的研究主题将加强PI和ERC参与者之间正在进行的合作。PI与行业和国际机构持续合作，让学生与广泛的研究社区互动。这些跨学科合作将为具有实际应用和研究经验的学生提供更好的准备。国际和平协会积极向来自弱势社区或代表性不足的少数民族的高中生和本科生提供外展服务。教育方案侧重于外展活动与前沿研究之间的密切联系

Objective:The objective is to develop all-optical switching that will fundamentally transform optical communications for sustainability and scalability, with ambitious goals of very low switching energy, loss, and suitable for chip-scale integration. Intellectual Merit:The intellectual merit includes the invention of a new platform to revolutionize chip-scale integrated optics, and, in particular, all-optical switching. The platform uses a new concept of hollow-core waveguide guided by two parallel ultra-thin layers of high index contrast grating (HCG). The HCG has an extraordinary low-loss guiding mechanism which leads to three orders of magnitude reduction in the volume of the switch medium, resulting in orders of magnitude lower switching energy, high speed and broad bandwidth. This new platform will lead to new physics and major implications for integrated optoelectronic circuits. Broader Impacts:The proposed cross-disciplinary research will bridge between devices, systems and optical networks. The PI is a member of the Center for Integrated Access Networks, an NSF ERC with a vision is to create transformative technologies for optical access networks. This proposed research topic will enhance the on-going collaboration between PI and ERC participants. The PI has on-going collaborations with industry and international institutes for students to interact with a wide research community. These interdisciplinary collaboration will provide better preparation for students with real world applications and research experiences. The PI is active in outreaching to high school students and undergraduates from disadvantaged communities or under-represented minorities. The education program focuses on close connection between the outreach activities and cutting-edge research