Air-clad broadband waveguide using micro-molded polyimide combined with a robust, silica-based inverted opal substrate
TL;DR: In this article, a polymer waveguide is fabricated on top of an inverted opal photonic crystal structure to demonstrate an air clad functioning waveguide for the first time to the best of their knowledge.
Abstract: A polymer waveguide is fabricated on top of an inverted opal photonic crystal structure to demonstrate an air clad functioning waveguide for the first time to the best of our knowledge. An optically thick layer with a refractive index (n = 1.01) close to air was realized on a silicon wafer by first co-forming a self-assembled 3-D photonic crystal structure with PMMA spheres and a silica backbone. Following the fabrication of polyimide waveguides on this surface by micro-molding, the PMMA spheres were removed to leave behind an inverted opal structure underneath the waveguides with refractive index close to air. Broadband, polarization independent fundamental mode optical waveguiding from 1300 nm to 1600 nm wavelengths was obtained. This original approach overcomes some of the drawbacks associated with conventional polymer waveguides and can be the basis for a range of optical interconnection and sensing applications.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the world is not flat and stiff: there are many application cases in which the substrate is not 2D and rigid because of the substrates on which they are fabricated.
Abstract: Conventional electronic and photonic devices are inherently 2D and rigid because of the substrates on which they are fabricated. However, the world is not flat and stiff: There are many application...
43 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the surface pressure-controlled Langmuir-blodgett method was used for the deposition of large-area and highly ordered colloidal crystal films made from monodispersed silica particles having diameters of 600 nm onto flexible polymer sheet and highly-curved light bulb and optical fiber cable surfaces.
14 citations
25 May 2022
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors present their work in the European project MORPHIC to extend an established silicon photonics platform with low-power and nonvolatile micro-electromechanical (MEMS) actuators to demonstrate large-scale programmable photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
Abstract: We present our work in the European project MORPHIC to extend an established silicon photonics platform with low-power and non-volatile micro-electromechanical (MEMS) actuators to demonstrate large-scale programmable photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
1 citations
15 Mar 2023
TL;DR: In this article , a low-power micro-electromechanical (MEMS) and liquid crystal (LC) actuators are used to enable large-scale programmable photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
Abstract: The demand for efficient actuators in photonics has peaked with increasing popularity for large-scale general-purpose programmable photonics circuits. We present our work to enhance an established silicon photonics platform with low-power micro-electromechanical (MEMS) and liquid crystal (LC) actuators to enable largescale programmable photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
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TL;DR: If a three-dimensionally periodic dielectric structure has an electromagnetic band gap which overlaps the electronic band edge, then spontaneous emission can be rigorously forbidden.
Abstract: It has been recognized for some time that the spontaneous emission by atoms is not necessarily a fixed and immutable property of the coupling between matter and space, but that it can be controlled by modification of the properties of the radiation field. This is equally true in the solid state, where spontaneous emission plays a fundamental role in limiting the performance of semiconductor lasers, heterojunction bipolar transistors, and solar cells. If a three-dimensionally periodic dielectric structure has an electromagnetic band gap which overlaps the electronic band edge, then spontaneous emission can be rigorously forbidden.
12,787 citations
TL;DR: A new mechanism for strong Anderson localization of photons in carefully prepared disordered dielectric superlattices with an everywhere real positive dielectrics constant is described.
Abstract: A new mechanism for strong Anderson localization of photons in carefully prepared disordered dielectric superlattices with an everywhere real positive dielectric constant is described. In three dimensions, two photon mobility edges separate high- and low-frequency extended states from an intermediate-frequency pseudogap of localized states arising from remnant geometric Bragg resonances. Experimentally observable consequences are discussed.
9,067 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the photonic bandgap as a periodicity in dielectric constant, which can create a range of 'forbidden' frequencies called a photonic Bandgap.
Abstract: Photonic crystals are materials patterned with a periodicity in dielectric constant, which can create a range of 'forbidden' frequencies called a photonic bandgap. Photons with energies lying in the bandgap cannot propagate through the medium. This provides the opportunity to shape and mould the flow of light for photonic information technology.
2,891 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that colloidal coassembly is available for a range of organometallic sol-gel and polymer matrix precursors, and represents a simple, low-cost, scalable method for generating high-quality, chemically tailorable inverse opal films for a variety of applications.
Abstract: Whereas considerable interest exists in self-assembly of well-ordered, porous "inverse opal" structures for optical, electronic, and (bio)chemical applications, uncontrolled defect formation has limited the scale-up and practicality of such approaches. Here we demonstrate a new method for assembling highly ordered, crack-free inverse opal films over a centimeter scale. Multilayered composite colloidal crystal films have been generated via evaporative deposition of polymeric colloidal spheres suspended within a hydrolyzed silicate sol-gel precursor solution. The coassembly of a sacrificial colloidal template with a matrix material avoids the need for liquid infiltration into the preassembled colloidal crystal and minimizes the associated cracking and inhomogeneities of the resulting inverse opal films. We discuss the underlying mechanisms that may account for the formation of large-area defect-free films, their unique preferential growth along the 110 direction and unusual fracture behavior. We demonstrate that this coassembly approach allows the fabrication of hierarchical structures not achievable by conventional methods, such as multilayered films and deposition onto patterned or curved surfaces. These robust SiO(2) inverse opals can be transformed into various materials that retain the morphology and order of the original films, as exemplified by the reactive conversion into Si or TiO(2) replicas. We show that colloidal coassembly is available for a range of organometallic sol-gel and polymer matrix precursors, and represents a simple, low-cost, scalable method for generating high-quality, chemically tailorable inverse opal films for a variety of applications.
500 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an elastomeric stamp made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and having relief features in its surface was placed on a substrate; contact between the elastomers and the substrate formed a network of interconnected channels.
Abstract: Procedures based on micromolding in capillaries (MIMIC) were used to pattern a surface of a substrate with micrometer- and submicrometer-scale structures. An elastomeric stamp made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and having relief features in its surface was placed on a substrate; contact between the elastomeric stamp and the substrate formed a network of interconnected channels. A fluida precursor to a polymer, a solution, or a suspension of the material to be patternedfilled these channels by capillary action. After the material in the fluid had cross-linked, crystallized, cured, adhered, or deposited onto the surface of the substrate, the elastomeric component was removed. The microstructures remained on the surface in the pattern complementary to that present in the mold. MIMIC was used to fabricate microstructures of organic polymers, inorganic and organic salts, ceramics, metals, and crystalline microparticles.
483 citations