Xinliang Zhang

Bio: Xinliang Zhang is an academic researcher from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Optical amplifier & Resonator. The author has an hindex of 40, co-authored 777 publications receiving 7658 citations.

All-optical AND gate at 10 Gbit/s based on cascaded single-port-couple SOAs.

Abstract: An all-optical logical AND gate at 10 Gbit/s based on cross-gain modulation (XGM) in two cascaded semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) is demonstrated. Single-port-coupled SOAs are employed and specially designed to improve the output extinction ratio as well as the output performance of the logic operation. The output signal power and extinction ratio from the first-stage wavelength converter are critical to achieving all-optical logical AND operation.

Orbital angular momentum complex spectrum analyzer for vortex light based on the rotational Doppler effect.

Abstract: The ability to measure the orbital angular momentum (OAM) distribution of vortex light is essential for OAM applications. Although there have been many studies on the measurement of OAM modes, it is difficult to quantitatively and instantaneously measure the power distribution among different OAM modes, let alone measure the phase distribution among them. In this work, we propose an OAM complex spectrum analyzer that enables simultaneous measurements of the power and phase distributions of OAM modes by employing the rotational Doppler effect. The original OAM mode distribution is mapped to an electrical spectrum of beat signals using a photodetector. The power and phase distributions of superimposed OAM beams are successfully retrieved by analyzing the electrical spectrum. We also extend the measurement technique to other spatial modes, such as linear polarization modes. These results represent a new landmark in spatial mode analysis and show great potential for applications in OAM-based systems and optical communication systems with mode-division multiplexing. An instrument that can map the power and phase distributions of vortex light beams that have orbital angular momentum (OAM) has been built. The ability to measure the OAM distribution of vortex light is essential for OAM applications, but it is challenging to instantaneously measure the power and phase distribution of different OAM modes. The OAM spectrum analyzer developed by Jianji Dong of Huazhong University of Science and Technology and co-workers characterizes a beam with unknown OAM by sending it and a reference beam to a spinning object, which scatters the light, imparting a rotational Doppler frequency shift in the process. The scattered light is then passed through a mode filter and collected by a photodetector for analysis. The frequency shift of the scattered light reveals information about the OAM content of the unknown beam.

2D materials-based homogeneous transistor-memory architecture for neuromorphic hardware.

Abstract: In neuromorphic hardware, peripheral circuits and memories based on heterogeneous devices are generally physically separated. Thus, exploration of homogeneous devices for these components is key fo...

Refractive index sensing based on higher-order mode reflection of a microfiber Bragg grating

Abstract: A fiber Bragg grating written in a photosensitive microfiber using KrF excimer laser via a uniform phase mask is demonstrated. We have successfully fabricated two Bragg gratings in microfibers having different diameters. In the reflection spectrum of a microfiber Bragg grating (MFBG), we observed two reflection peaks,which agrees with our numerical simulation results. Compared with the fundamental mode reflection, the higher-order reflection mode is more sensitive to the refractive index (RI) variation of the surrounding fluid due to its larger evanescent field. The measured maximum sensitivity is ~102 nm/RIU (RI unit) at an RI value of 1.378 in an MFBG with a diameter of 6 μm.

Bandwidth and wavelength-tunable optical bandpass filter based on silicon microring-MZI structure.

Abstract: A novel and simple bandwidth and wavelength-tunable optical bandpass filter based on silicon microrings in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structure is proposed and demonstrated. In this filter design, the drop transmissions of two microring resonators are combined to provide the desired tunability. A detailed analysis and the design of the device are presented. The shape factor and extinction ratio of the filter are optimized by thermally controlling the phase difference between the two arms of the MZI. Simultaneous bandwidth and wavelength tunability with in-band ripple control is demonstrated by thermally tuning the resonance offset between the two microring resonators.

I and i

Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

Optical communications using orbital angular momentum beams

Abstract: Orbital angular momentum (OAM), which describes the “phase twist” (helical phase pattern) of light beams, has recently gained interest due to its potential applications in many diverse areas. Particularly promising is the use of OAM for optical communications since: (i) coaxially propagating OAM beams with different azimuthal OAM states are mutually orthogonal, (ii) inter-beam crosstalk can be minimized, and (iii) the beams can be efficiently multiplexed and demultiplexed. As a result, multiple OAM states could be used as different carriers for multiplexing and transmitting multiple data streams, thereby potentially increasing the system capacity. In this paper, we review recent progress in OAM beam generation/detection, multiplexing/demultiplexing, and its potential applications in different scenarios including free-space optical communications, fiber-optic communications, and RF communications. Technical challenges and perspectives of OAM beams are also discussed.

a Quantum-Mechanical Theory of the Contribution of Excitons to the Complex Dielectric Constant of Crystals.

Abstract: It is shown that the ordinary semiclassical theory of the absorption of light by exciton states is not completely satisfactory (in contrast to the case of absorption due to interband transitions). A more complete theory is developed. It is shown that excitons are approximate bosons, and, in interaction with the electromagnetic field, the exciton field plays the role of the classical polarization field. The eigenstates of the system of crystal and radiation field are mixtures of photons and excitons. The ordinary one-quantum optical lifetime of an excitation is infinite. Absorption occurs only when "three-body" processes are introduced. The theory includes "local field" effects, leading to the Lorentz local field correction when it is applicable. A Smakula equation for the oscillator strength in terms of the integrated absorption constant is derived.

Photonic crystal nanocavity assisted rejection ratio tunable notch microwave photonic filter

Abstract: Driven by the increasing demand on handing microwave signals with compact device, low power consumption, high efficiency and high reliability, it is highly desired to generate, distribute, and process microwave signals using photonic integrated circuits. Silicon photonics offers a promising platform facilitating ultracompact microwave photonic signal processing assisted by silicon nanophotonic devices. In this paper, we propose, theoretically analyze and experimentally demonstrate a simple scheme to realize ultracompact rejection ratio tunable notch microwave photonic filter (MPF) based on a silicon photonic crystal (PhC) nanocavity with fixed extinction ratio. Using a conventional modulation scheme with only a single phase modulator (PM), the rejection ratio of the presented MPF can be tuned from about 10 dB to beyond 60 dB. Moreover, the central frequency tunable operation in the high rejection ratio region is also demonstrated in the experiment.