Essential equipemtn for state-of-the-art characterization of elctro-optic and magneto-optic thin film based devices

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While an increasingly larger amount of data are transported across optical fiber networks by light pulses, and optical computing will soon be a reality, the efficient control of light for communication purposes and all-optical processing has become an extremely important target for photonics engineers. However, such effort necessarily requires the fabrication of several devices in low cost, ultra-compact photonics chips via the monolithic integration of different enabling materials. For this reason, the PIs of this application have established a vigorous research program directed towards the development of a novel thin film technology for applications in photonics and optoelectronics. In particular, they are especially interested in the fabrication of: A) high quality, low loss electro-optic thin films (based on BST, PLZT and CBN) and of: B) high performance magneto-optic thin films (based on Yig and Ce-Yig), to be directly deposited on top of other ferroelectrics waveguides and finally, of Group IV and III-V semiconductors (i.e. STO, GaAs, AlGaAs, Si, SoI, etc). However, the experiments proposed here present several technical challenges that require an urgent equipment upgrading. For example, A) state of the art electro-optic devices need to be tested in conditions of small signal to noise ratio and at an acceptable (several tens of MHz) speed using i) a Motorized compensator stage and ii) a Fast detection line. In parallel, B) the magneto-optic properties of various thin films and devices will be tested using iii) a C-Frame electromagnet with accessories and iv) a suitable laser-detection system. This application will complement funding from other sources. The benefits related to our research programs are twofold: they will pave the way to the development of new advanced technologies and will promote the training of highly qualified personnel, consistently with the needs of Canadian industry and society in general.