Michael Hochberg

Bio: Michael Hochberg is an academic researcher from Nokia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Silicon photonics & Photonics. The author has an hindex of 53, co-authored 275 publications receiving 11134 citations. Previous affiliations of Michael Hochberg include University of Delaware & Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

Harnessing optical forces in integrated photonic circuits

Abstract: The force exerted by photons is of fundamental importance in light-matter interactions. For example, in free space, optical tweezers have been widely used to manipulate atoms and microscale dielectric particles. This optical force is expected to be greatly enhanced in integrated photonic circuits in which light is highly concentrated at the nanoscale. Harnessing the optical force on a semiconductor chip will allow solid state devices, such as electromechanical systems, to operate under new physical principles. Indeed, recent experiments have elucidated the radiation forces of light in high-finesse optical microcavities, but the large footprint of these devices ultimately prevents scaling down to nanoscale dimensions. Recent theoretical work has predicted that a transverse optical force can be generated and used directly for electromechanical actuation without the need for a high-finesse cavity. However, on-chip exploitation of this force has been a significant challenge, primarily owing to the lack of efficient nanoscale mechanical transducers in the photonics domain. Here we report the direct detection and exploitation of transverse optical forces in an integrated silicon photonic circuit through an embedded nanomechanical resonator. The nanomechanical device, a free-standing waveguide, is driven by the optical force and read out through evanescent coupling of the guided light to the dielectric substrate. This new optical force enables all-optical operation of nanomechanical systems on a CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor)-compatible platform, with substantial bandwidth and design flexibility compared to conventional electrical-based schemes.

Label-Free Biosensor Arrays Based on Silicon Ring Resonators and High-Speed Optical Scanning Instrumentation

Abstract: A platform for performing rapid, real-time binding assays on sensor arrays based on silicon ring resonators is presented in this paper. An array of 32 sensors is interrogated simultaneously. Using eight sensors as controls, 24 simultaneous binding curves are produced. The bulk refractive index sensitivity of the system was demonstrated down to 7.6 × 10-7 and sensor-to-sensor variability is 3.9%. Using an 8-min incubation, real-time binding was observed over 8-logs of concentration down to 60 fM using immobilized biotin to capture streptavidin diluted in bovine serum albumin solution. Multiplexing in complex media is demonstrated with two DNA oligonucleotide probes. Time to result and repeatability are demonstrated to be adequate for clinical applications.

Quantum transport simulations in a programmable nanophotonic processor

Abstract: Environmental noise and disorder play critical roles in quantum particle and wave transport in complex media, including solid-state and biological systems. While separately both effects are known to reduce transport, recent work predicts that in a limited region of parameter space, noise-induced dephasing can counteract localization effects, leading to enhanced quantum transport. Photonic integrated circuits are promising platforms for studying such effects, with a central goal of developing large systems providing low-loss, high-fidelity control over all parameters of the transport problem. Here, we fully map the role of disorder in quantum transport using a nanophotonic processor: a mesh of 88 generalized beamsplitters programmable on microsecond timescales. Over 64,400 experiments we observe distinct transport regimes, including environment-assisted quantum transport and the ‘quantum Goldilocks’ regime in statically disordered discrete-time systems. Low-loss and high-fidelity programmable transformations make this nanophotonic processor a promising platform for many-boson quantum simulation experiments. A large-scale, low-loss and phase-stable programmable nanophotonic processor is fabricated to explore quantum transport phenomena. The signature of environment-assisted quantum transport in discrete-time systems is observed for the first time.

Towards fabless silicon photonics

Abstract: Silicon photonic devices can be built using commercial CMOS chip fabrication facilities, or 'fabs'. However, nearly all research groups continue to design, build and test chips internally, rather than leveraging shared CMOS foundry infrastructure.

Silicon Photonics Design: From Devices to Systems

Abstract: Part I. Silicon Photonics - Introduction: 1. Fabless Silicon Photonics: 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Silicon photonics - the next fabless semiconductor industry 1.3 Applications 1.4 Technical challenges and the state of the art 1.5 Opportunities 2. Modelling and Design Approaches: 2.1 Optical Waveguide Mode Solver 2.2 Wave Propagation 2.3 Optoelectronic models 2.4 Microwave Modelling 2.5 Thermal Modelling 2.6 Photonic Circuit Modelling 2.7 Physical Layout 2.8 Software Tools Integration Part II. Silicon Photonics - Passive Components: 3. Optical Materials and Waveguides: 3.1 Silicon-on-Insulator 3.2 Waveguides 3.3 Bent waveguides 3.4 Code Listings 3.5 Problems 4. Fundamental Building Blocks: 4.1 Directional couplers 4.2 Y-Branch 4.3 Mach-Zehnder Interferometer 4.4 Ring resonators 4.5 Waveguide Bragg Grating Filters 4.6 Code Listings 4.7 Problems 5. Optical I/O: 5.1 The challenge of optical coupling to silicon photonic chips 5.2 Grating Coupler 5.3 Edge Coupler 5.4 Polarization 5.5 Code Listings 5.6 Problems Part III. Silicon Photonics - Active Components: 6. Modulators: 6.1 Plasma Dispersion E 6.2 PN Junction Phase Shifter 6.3 Micro-ring Modulators 6.4 Forward-biased PIN Junction 6.5 Active Tuning 6.6 Thermo-Optic Switch 6.7 Code Listings 6.8 Problems 7. Detectors: 7.1 Performance Parameters 7.2 Fabrication 7.3 Types of detectors 7.4 Design Considerations 7.5 Detector modelling 7.5.2 Electronic Simulations 7.6 Code Listings 7.7 Problems 8. Lasers: 8.1 External Lasers 8.2 Laser Modelling 8.3 Co-Packaging 8.4 Hybrid Silicon Lasers 8.5 Monolithic Lasers 8.6 Alternative Light Sources 8.7 Problems Part IV. Silicon Photonics - System Design: 9. Photonic Circuit Modelling: 9.1 Need for photonic circuit modelling 9.2 Components for System Design 9.3 Compact Models 9.4 Directional Coupler - Compact Model 9.5 Ring Modulator - Circuit Model 9.6 Grating Coupler - S Parameters 9.7 Code Listings 10. Tools and Techniques: 10.1 Process Design Kit (PDK) 10.2 Mask Layout 11. Fabrication: 11.1 Fabrication Non-Uniformity 11.2 Problems 12. Testing and Packaging: 12.1 Electrical and Optical Interfacing 12.2 Automated Optical Probe Stations 12.3 Design for Test 13. Silicon Photonic System Example: 13.1 Wavelength Division Multiplexed Transmitter.

Plasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications

Abstract: Fundamentals of Plasmonics.- Electromagnetics of Metals.- Surface Plasmon Polaritons at Metal / Insulator Interfaces.- Excitation of Surface Plasmon Polaritons at Planar Interfaces.- Imaging Surface Plasmon Polariton Propagation.- Localized Surface Plasmons.- Electromagnetic Surface Modes at Low Frequencies.- Applications.- Plasmon Waveguides.- Transmission of Radiation Through Apertures and Films.- Enhancement of Emissive Processes and Nonlinearities.- Spectroscopy and Sensing.- Metamaterials and Imaging with Surface Plasmon Polaritons.- Concluding Remarks.

Plasmonics: merging photonics and electronics at nanoscale dimensions.

Abstract: Electronic circuits provide us with the ability to control the transport and storage of electrons. However, the performance of electronic circuits is now becoming rather limited when digital information needs to be sent from one point to another. Photonics offers an effective solution to this problem by implementing optical communication systems based on optical fibers and photonic circuits. Unfortunately, the micrometer-scale bulky components of photonics have limited the integration of these components into electronic chips, which are now measured in nanometers. Surface plasmon-based circuits, which merge electronics and photonics at the nanoscale, may offer a solution to this size-compatibility problem. Here we review the current status and future prospects of plasmonics in various applications including plasmonic chips, light generation, and nanolithography.

Cavity Optomechanics

Abstract: We review the field of cavity optomechanics, which explores the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and nano- or micromechanical motion This review covers the basics of optical cavities and mechanical resonators, their mutual optomechanical interaction mediated by the radiation pressure force, the large variety of experimental systems which exhibit this interaction, optical measurements of mechanical motion, dynamical backaction amplification and cooling, nonlinear dynamics, multimode optomechanics, and proposals for future cavity quantum optomechanics experiments In addition, we describe the perspectives for fundamental quantum physics and for possible applications of optomechanical devices

Photodetectors based on graphene, other two-dimensional materials and hybrid systems

Abstract: Graphene and other two-dimensional materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides, have rapidly established themselves as intriguing building blocks for optoelectronic applications, with a strong focus on various photodetection platforms The versatility of these material systems enables their application in areas including ultrafast and ultrasensitive detection of light in the ultraviolet, visible, infrared and terahertz frequency ranges These detectors can be integrated with other photonic components based on the same material, as well as with silicon photonic and electronic technologies Here, we provide an overview and evaluation of state-of-the-art photodetectors based on graphene, other two-dimensional materials, and hybrid systems based on the combination of different two-dimensional crystals or of two-dimensional crystals and other (nano)materials, such as plasmonic nanoparticles, semiconductors, quantum dots, or their integration with (silicon) waveguides

Photonic crystals

Abstract: The term photonic crystals appears because of the analogy between electron waves in crystals and the light waves in artificial periodic dielectric structures. During the recent years the investigation of one-, two-and three-dimensional periodic structures has attracted a widespread attention of the world optics community because of great potentiality of such structures in advanced applied optical fields. The interest in periodic structures has been stimulated by the fast development of semiconductor technology that now allows the fabrication of artificial structures, whose period is comparable with the wavelength of light in the visible and infrared ranges.