Advanced Applications of Two-Dimensional Coupled Microring Resonator Networks

建议的研究是在集成光子器件领域，重点是耦合微环谐振器(CMR)在光通信和光互连系统中的高级应用。微环谐振器是一种行波光学谐振器，由于其紧凑的尺寸、通用性以及易于制造和集成，已成为许多光子集成电路的关键组成部分。微环谐振器最重要的应用之一是通过将多个谐振器耦合在一起来构造高阶滤光片。传统的微环滤波器基于一维(1D)耦合拓扑结构，只能实现有限的光谱响应。通过将耦合拓扑扩展到二维(2D)，可以合成更丰富的光谱特性，用于光学光谱工程中的高级应用，如高性能滤波器和色散补偿器。*本研究的目的是研究和探索一种新型的2D CMR网络的新应用，即具有复场耦合系数的网络。在这些器件中，相邻谐振器之间的能量交换通过电磁场的大小和相位进行，从而产生了传统的具有真实耦合系数的CMR所不存在的新效应。该研究旨在为设计和实现具有复场耦合的通用二维CMR网络提供理论和技术支持。新的应用，如波分复用(WDM)通信系统的内置色散补偿的带通滤波器，以及新兴的制造容忍拓扑保护的光子器件，将被提出并在硅材料中进行实验演示。后者是基于电子系统中二维拓扑绝缘体的概念，具有对结构无序的稳健性，使这些器件对制造缺陷具有高度的容忍性。*除了微环谐振器领域的进步外，这项研究也有望为硅集成光子学技术的发展做出贡献。由于波分复用器和光互连应用对低成本和大规模集成光学元件的需求不断增长，硅光电子正在迅速成为制造光子集成电路的行业标准。拟议的研究为培养硅光子学理论和技术发展方面的高素质人才(HQP)提供了良好的机会。预计通过该研究计划获得的专业知识、开发的知识产权和培训的HQP将有助于加快加拿大硅光电子行业以及更广泛的光学和电信行业的发展。**

The proposed research is in the area of integrated photonic devices, with focus on advanced applications of coupled microring resonators (CMRs) for optical communication and optical interconnect systems. Microring resonators are travelling-wave optical resonators which have become a key building block in many photonic integrated circuits, thanks to their compact sizes, versatility, and ease of fabrication and integration. One of the most important applications of microring resonators is the construction of high-order optical filters by coupling multiple resonators together. Conventional microring filters are based on the one-dimensional (1D) coupling topology, which can only realize a limited set of spectral responses. By extending the coupling topology to two dimensions (2D), much richer spectral characteristics can be synthesized for advanced applications in optical spectral engineering, such as high-performance filters and dispersion compensators.*** The objective of the research is to investigate and explore novel applications of a new type of 2D CMR networks, namely those with complex field coupling coefficients. In these devices power exchange between adjacent resonators takes place via both the magnitude and phase of the electromagnetic fields, giving rise to novel effects not present in conventional CMRs with real coupling coefficients. The research aims to develop theory and techniques for designing and realizing general 2D CMR networks with complex field couplings. Novel applications such as bandpass filters with built-in dispersion compensation for Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) communication systems, and the emerging class of fabrication-tolerant topologically-protected photonic devices will be proposed and experimentally demonstrated in the silicon material. The latter devices are based on the concept of 2D topological insulators in electronic systems, with unique properties such as robustness against structural disorder making these devices highly tolerant to fabrication imperfections.*** In addition to advancements in the field of microring resonators, the research is also expected to contribute to the development of silicon integrated photonics technology. Silicon photonics is rapidly becoming the industry standard for manufacturing photonic integrated circuits, driven by the growing demand for low-cost and large-scale integrated optics components for WDM and optical interconnect applications. The proposed research provides excellent opportunities for training highly-qualified personnel (HQP) in both the theoretical and technological development of silicon photonics. It is expected that the expertise gained, intellectual property developed and HQP trained through the research program will help accelerate the development of silicon photonics industry in Canada, as well as the broader optics and telecommunication industries.**