SBIR Phase I: Liquid-Crystal Waveguides for Optical Integrated Circuits

这个小型企业创新研究一期项目提出了一种平面波导上光的电光控制新方法。目前，光在硅对硅平面光波导上的电光控制是通过热光效应实现的，该效应速度慢、功耗高、效果小。新方法提供了前所未有的光相位延迟水平，需要低功率和中等电压，并且显示响应时间低于10微秒。该方法可用于引导光束，调谐波导光栅和控制通道之间的耦合，从而使硅衬底上的新型集成电光器件成为可能。第一阶段项目将展示一个大的电光调制指数，并展示波导内具有10度转向能力的波导波束转向。它还将探索使用该技术制造集成光学电路的方法。第二阶段将设计和建造集成光学器件，如波导傅立叶变换光谱仪、条形码扫描仪或具有动态跟踪和聚焦的CD/DVD拾取器。该技术的商业应用包括用于化学传感的波导光谱仪，溶剂和塑料的识别，以及移动排放监测。其他商业应用包括条形码扫描器、CD/DVD光学拾取器、自由空间光通信、用于角度复用全息数据存储的波束导向以及用于计算机背板的光学互连。

This small business innovative research Phase I project proposes a new method for electro-opticcontrol of light on planar waveguides. Currently, electro-optic control of light on silica-on-siliconplanar optical waveguides is by the thermo-optic effect, which is slow, consumes high power and exhibits a small effect. The new method provides unprecedented levels of optical phase delay, requires low power and moderate voltages, and exhibits response times under 10 microseconds. The method can be used to steer beams, tune waveguide gratings and control coupling between channels, thus enabling a new class of integrated electro-optic devices on silicon substrates. The Phase I project will demonstrate a large electro-optic modulation index and demonstrate a waveguide beamsteer with 10 degrees of steering capability within the waveguide. It will also explore methods of manufacturing integrated optical circuits using this technology. Phase II will design and build an integrated optic such as a waveguide Fourier transform spectrometer, barcode scanner, or CD/DVD pickup with dynamic tracking and focusing.Commercial applications of this technology include waveguide spectrometers for chemical sensing, identification of solvents and plastics, and mobile emissions monitoring. Other commercial applications include barcode scanners, CD/DVD optical pickups, free-space optical communications, beamsteering for angle-multiplex holographic data storage, and optical interconnects for computer backplanes.