Novel TiO2-based microphotonic devices

目的：随着我们的需求突破互联网的极限，我们面临着电子线路的局限性。为了满足这些需求，用于交换和逻辑的超高速全光技术正在成为一种可行的替代方案。我们计划研究一种未被探索的材料，二氧化钛，作为一种新的平台，能够满足这些对高速，高集成度的片上光子器件的需求。智力上的优点：最近对二氧化钛的S光学非线性的测量在量级上类似于高度非线性的硫系玻璃。与大多数用于全光开关的材料不同，我们对二氧化钛的研究将实现可见光和红外操作。我们将开创这种材料的结构，并开发先进设备所需的积木。为了证明二氧化钛作为非线性光学平台的可行性，我们将创建微米级的非线性萨格纳克干涉仪，并将其性能量化为全光开关。广泛方面：除了创建微型光子器件外，拟议的工作还将有助于理解纳米级的光波传播，并将促进激光诱导击穿光谱、光学存储器读出和分子电子学的发展。这项工作将通过以研究为基础的教育，为未来多学科科学家和工程师的教育和培训做出贡献。我们与当地高中的合作，NSF赞助的项目，以及我们研究小组中女性的高代表性，将扩大代表不足的群体的参与。我们与学术和工业合作伙伴的广泛合作将加强研究的基础设施。最后，利用该组织完善的计划，将外展和公共教育与研究相结合，这项工作将向普通公众广泛传播。

Objective:As our demand pushes the limits of the internet, we are confronted with the limitations of electronic circuitry. To address these demands, ultra-fast all-optical technologies for switching and logic are emerging as a viable alternative. We propose to investigate an unexplored material, TiO2, as a novel platform capable of meeting these demands for high speed, highly integrated on-chip photonic devices.Intellectual Merit:Recent measurements of TiO2's optical nonlinearity are similar in magnitude as highly nonlinear chalcogenide glass. Unlike most materials for all-optical switching, our work with TiO2 will enable both visible and IR operation. We will pioneer the structuring of this material and develop building blocks necessary for advanced devices. To demonstrate TiO2's viability as a nonlinear optical platform we will create micron sized nonlinear Sagnac interferometers and quantifying their performance as all-optical switches.Broader Aspects:Beyond the creation of miniaturized photonic devices, the proposed work will contribute to the understanding of optical wave propagation at the nanoscale and will permit advances in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, optical memory read-out, and molecular electronics. This work will contribute to the education and training of future multidisciplinary scientists and engineers through research based education. Our work with local high schools, NSF sponsored programs, and the high representation of women in our research group will broaden participation of underrepresented groups. Our extensive collaborations with academic and industrial partners will enhance infrastructure for research. Finally, using the group's well-established program integrating outreach and public education with research, this work will be broadly disseminated to the general public.