Slow Light Enhanced Mid-infrared Nonlinear Optical Devices

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The objective of this program is to conduct experimental investigation of novel nonlinear material andwaveguide designs and to develop a compact, integrated photonic device platform for nonlinear opticaldevices operating in the mid-infrared spectral region. There is a current dearth of nonlinear opticaldevices in the mid-infrared and the proposed research program aims to fill this void.The intellectual merits are: (1) novel device architecture for slow light propagation with low loss and (2)new tunable light sources and amplifiers for the mid-infrared frequency region. The slow light devicesare based on photonic crystals to enable dispersion engineering necessary for slow light but has radicallydifferent designs to circumvent the fundamental limits imposed by scattering loss. Additionally, thedevices will be implemented in a chalcogenide material system, with high nonlinearity and Raman gain,long infrared transparency, and a high glass transition temperature.The broader impacts are many. First, the proposed work will broadly impact the applied physics andmaterials science world by providing a new class of devices based on nonlinear-enhancement from slowlight. The capability of ultralow threshold for nonlinearities will open a wide application space for the useofdevices with standard, low cost lasers. The potential to demonstrate a low-threshold nonlinear opticaldevice in the mid-infrared will be transformative for applications in sensing, spectroscopy,communications, medicine and more. The project is also designed to integrate research with education atboth undergraduate and graduate levels, attract underrepresented minority students, and offer outreach togeneral public.