Showing papers on "Diffraction grating published in 2012"

Thermal imaging of nanostructures by quantitative optical phase analysis

Abstract: We introduce an optical microscopy technique aimed at characterizing the heat generation arising from nanostructures, in a comprehensive and quantitative manner. Namely, the technique permits (i) mapping the temperature distribution around the source of heat, (ii) mapping the heat power density delivered by the source, and (iii) retrieving the absolute absorption cross section of light-absorbing structures. The technique is based on the measure of the thermal-induced refractive index variation of the medium surrounding the source of heat. The measurement is achieved using an association of a regular CCD camera along with a modified Hartmann diffraction grating. Such a simple association makes this technique straightforward to implement on any conventional microscope with its native broadband illumination conditions. We illustrate this technique on gold nanoparticles illuminated at their plasmonic resonance. The spatial resolution of this technique is diffraction limited, and temperature variations weaker ...

Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor compatible high efficiency subwavelength grating couplers for silicon integrated photonics

Abstract: We demonstrate a through-etched grating coupler based on subwavelength nanostructure. The grating consists of arrays of 80 nm × 343 nm rectangular air holes, which can be patterned in a single lithography/etch. A peak coupling efficiency of 59% at 1551.6 nm and a 3 dB bandwidth of 60 nm are achieved utilizing the silicon-on-insulator platform with a 1 μm thick buried-oxide layer for transverse electric mode. The performance is comparable to gratings requiring much more complicated fabrication processes.

Optical fibre gratings as tools for chemical and biochemical sensing.

Abstract: Optical fibre gratings have recently been suggested as optical platforms for chemical and biochemical sensing. On the basis of the measurement of refractive index changes induced by a chemical and biochemical interaction in the transmission spectrum along the fibres, they are proposed as a possible alternative to the other label-free optical approaches, such as surface plasmon resonance and optical resonators. The combination of the use of optical fibres with the fact that the signal modulation is spectrally encoded offers multiplexing and remote measurement capabilities which the other technology platforms are not able to or can hardly offer. The fundamentals of the different types of optical fibre gratings are described and the performances of the chemical and biochemical sensors based on this approach are reviewed. Advantages and limitations of optical fibre gratings are considered, with a look at new perspectives for their utilization in the field.

Phase-controlled, heterodyne laser-induced transient grating measurements of thermal transport properties in opaque material

Abstract: The methodology for a heterodyned laser-induced transient thermal grating technique for non-contact, non-destructive measurements of thermal transport in opaque material is presented. Phase-controlled heterodyne detection allows us to isolate pure phase or amplitude transient grating signal contributions by varying the relative phase between reference and probe beams. The phase grating signal includes components associated with both transient reflectivity and surface displacement whereas the amplitude grating contribution is governed by transient reflectivity alone. By analyzing the latter with the two-dimensional thermal diffusion model, we extract the in-plane thermal diffusivity of the sample. Measurements on a 5 μm thick single crystal PbTe film yielded excellent agreement with the model over a range of grating periods from 1.6 to 2.8 μm. The measured thermal diffusivity of 1.3 × 10−6 m2/s was found to be slightly lower than the bulk value.

Efficient Guided-Mode-Resonant Tunable Color Filters

Abstract: A new angle-tuned guided-mode resonance color filter is experimentally demonstrated. The device is designed using numerical methods and patterned using laser interferometric lithography. It consists of a 55-nm-deep silicon nitride and air diffraction grating with a 270-nm grating period along with a 110-nm-thick silicon nitride waveguide layer deposited on a glass substrate. The fabricated filter exhibits blue, green, and red color responses at incident angles of 8 $^{\circ}$ , 20 $^{\circ}$ , and 35 $^{\circ}$ , respectively. It has a bandwidth of 10 nm with efficiency near 90%.

Fast switchable grating based on orthogonal photo alignments of ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract: We demonstrate a fast switchable grating based on ferroelectric liquid crystals and orthogonal planar alignment by means of photo alignments. Both 1D and 2D gratings have been constructed. The proposed diffracting element provides fast response time of around 20 μs, contrast of 7000:1 and high diffraction efficiency, at the electric field of 6 V/μm. The saturated electro-optical (EO) states up to very high frequency (≈5 kHz) are the real advantage of the proposed switchable grating, which opens several opportunities to improve the quality of existing devices and to find new applications.

High angular tolerance and reflectivity with narrow bandwidth cavity-resonator-integrated guided-mode resonance filter

Abstract: Guided mode resonance filters (GMRFs) are a promising new generation of reflective narrow band filters, that combine structural simplicity with high efficiency. However their intrinsic poor angular tolerance and huge area limit their use in real life applications. Cavity-resonator-integrated guided-mode resonance filters (CRIGFs) are a new class of reflective narrow band filters. They offer in theory narrow-band high-reflectivity with a much smaller footprint than GMRF. Here we demonstrate that for tightly focused incident beams adapted to the CRIGF size, we can obtain simultaneously high spectral selecitivity, high reflectivity, high angular acceptance with large alignment tolerances. We demonstrate experimentally reflectivity above 74%, angular acceptance greater than ±4.2° for a narrow-band (1.4 nm wide at 847 nm) CRIGF.

Combined front and back diffraction gratings for broad band light trapping in thin film solar cell

Abstract: In this paper, we present the integration of combined front and back 1D and 2D diffraction gratings with different periods, within thin film photovoltaic solar cells based on crystalline silicon layers. The grating structures have been designed considering both the need for incident light absorption enhancement and the technological feasibility. Long wavelength absorption is increased thanks to the long period (750 nm) back grating, while the incident light reflection is reduced by using a short period (250 nm) front grating. The simulated short circuit current in a solar cell combining a front and a back grating structures with a 1.2 µm thick c-Si layer, together with the back electrode and TCO layers, is increased up to 30.3 mA/cm2, compared to 18.4 mA/cm2 for a reference stack, as simulated using the AM1.5G solar spectrum intensity distribution from 300 nm to 1100 nm, and under normal incidence.

Optimal wavelength scale diffraction gratings for light trapping in solar cells

Abstract: Dielectric gratings are a promising method of achieving light trapping for thin crystalline silicon solar cells. In this paper, we systematically examine the potential performance of thin silicon solar cells with either silicon (Si) or titanium dioxide (TiO2) gratings using numerical simulations. The square pyramid structure with silicon nitride coating provides the best light trapping among all the symmetric structures investigated, with 89% of the expected short circuit current density of the Lambertian case. For structures where the grating is at the rear of the cell, we show that the light trapping provided by the square pyramid and the checkerboard structure is almost identical. Introducing asymmetry into the grating structures can further improve their light trapping properties. An optimized Si skewed pyramid grating on the front surface of the solar cell results in a maximum short circuit current density, Jsc, of 33.4 mA cm−2, which is 91% of the Jsc expected from an ideal Lambertian scatterer. An optimized Si skewed pyramid grating on the rear performs as well as a rear Lambertian scatterer and an optimized TiO2 grating on the rear results in 84% of the Jsc expected from an optimized Si grating. The results show that submicron symmetric and skewed pyramids of Si or TiO2 are a highly effective way of achieving light trapping in thin film solar cells. TiO2 structures would have the additional advantage of not increasing recombination within the cell.

Design, manufacturing, and performance analysis of mid-infrared achromatic half-wave plates with diamond subwavelength gratings

Abstract: In this paper, we present a solution for creating robust monolithic achromatic half-wave plates (HWPs) for the infrared, based on the form birefringence of subwavelength gratings (SWGs) made out of diamond. We use the rigorous coupled wave analysis to design the gratings. Our analysis shows that diamond, besides its outstanding physical and mechanical properties, is a suitable substrate to manufacture mid-infrared HWPs, thanks to its high refractive index, which allows etching SWGs with lower aspect ratio. Based on our optimized design, we manufactured a diamond HWP for the 11-13.2 μm region, with an estimated mean retardance ~3.143±0.061 rad (180.08±3.51°). In addition, an antireflective grating was etched on the backside of the wave plate, allowing a total transmittance between 89% and 95% over the band.

Adaptive slit beam shaping for direct laser written waveguides.

Abstract: We demonstrate an improved method for fabricating optical waveguides in bulk materials by means of femtosecond laser writing. We use an LC spatial light modulator (SLM) to shape the beam focus by generating adaptive slit illumination in the pupil of the objective lens. A diffraction grating is applied in a strip across the SLM to simulate a slit, with the first diffracted order mapped onto the pupil plane of the objective lens while the zeroth order is blocked. This technique enables real-time control of the beam-shaping parameters during writing, facilitating the fabrication of more complicated structures than is possible using nonadaptive methods. Waveguides are demonstrated in fused silica with a coupling loss to single-mode fibers in the range of 0.2 to 0.5 dB and propagation loss <0.4 dB/cm.

Trapping of surface plasmon waves in graded grating waveguide system

Abstract: We have proposed a graded grating plasmonic system with a significant slow-light effect for the propagation of high-confinement surface plasmon (SP) wave. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations show that the localized position of SP wave in the plasmonic waveguide is dependent on the operating frequency. It is found that the slow-light effect exhibits an obvious enhancement with propagation. The proposed ultracompact configuration offers the advantage of a large trapping bandwidth of 90 THz, which may find excellent applications on slow-light systems, especially optical buffers.

Miniaturized Long-Period Fiber Grating Assisted Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor

Abstract: This paper presents the design and fabrication of a fiber-optic refractive index (RI) sensor. The novel concept employs a long-period fiber grating (LPG) to achieve surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of a single cladding mode at the gold-coated tip of a single-mode fiber. The sensor combines a high level of sensitivity, a miniaturized sensing area and simple intensity-based interrogation, and is intended for biosensing using portable point-of-care devices or highly integrated lab-on-chip systems.

Sampled grating, distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers with broad tunability and continuous operation at room temperature

Abstract: A dual-section, single-mode quantum cascade laser is demonstrated in continuous wave at room temperature with up to 114 nm (50 cm−1) of tuning near a wavelength of 4.8 μm. Power above 100 mW is demonstrated, with a mean side mode suppression ratio of 24 dB. By changing the grating period, 270 nm (120 cm−1) of gap-free electrical tuning for a single gain medium has been realized.

High aspect ratio gratings for X-ray phase contrast imaging

Abstract: Differential phase contrast X-ray imaging (DPCI) has gained a lot of interest in the past years. It is based on X-ray grating interferometry and the image quality is strongly dependant on the grating quality. Periodic line and space structures with periods in the micron range are required for the source and absorption grating. In case of energies > 30 keV their height should be larger than 100 μm resulting in aspect ratios of more than 100. Deep X-ray lithography and gold electroforming (LIGA technology) is used to fabricate these challenging structures. After resist, design and process optimization gratings with 2.4 μm period have been electroformed up to 120 μm, Visibilities of up to 70% for 29 keV and up to 20% for 52 keV have been achieved for monochromatic synchrotron light. Structures with larger periods could be manufactured up to 200 μm; further increase of the height and the gratings quality is possible yielding to high performance gratings also for high energies.

High performance diffraction gratings made by e-beam lithography

Abstract: Gratings are essential components in different high performance optical set-ups such as spectrometers in space missions or ultrashort-pulse laser compression arrangements. Often such kinds of applications require gratings operating close to the technological accessible limits of today’s fabrication technology. Typical critical parameters are the diffraction efficiency and its polarization dependency, the wave-front error introduced by the grating, and the stray-light performance. Additionally, space applications have specific environmental requirements and laser application typically demand a high damage threshold. All these properties need to be controlled precisely on rather large grating areas. Grating sizes of 200 mm or even above are not unusual anymore. The paper provides a review on how such high performance gratings can be realized by electron-beam lithography and accompanying technologies. The approaches are demonstrated by different examples. The first example is the design and fabrication of the grating for the Radial-Velocity-Spectrometer of the GAIA-mission of the ESA. The second grating is a reflective pulse compression element with no wavelength resonances due to an optimized design. The last example shows a three level blazed grating in resonance domain with a diffraction efficiency of approximately 86 %.

Liquid crystal gratings based on alternate TN and PA photoalignment

Abstract: A diffraction grating is proposed by periodically defining the liquid-crystal director distribution to form alternate parallel aligned and twist nematic regions in a cell placed between two crossed polarizers. Based on the combined phase and amplitude modulation, both 1D and 2D tunable gratings are demonstrated. Low voltage ON/OFF switching of 1st order diffracted light with extinction ratio over 80 is achieved within a small voltage interval of 0.15 Vrms. Unique four-state feature of the cell is obtained and their applications in optical logic devices are discussed.

Cost-effective CMOS-compatible grating couplers with backside metal mirror and 69% coupling efficiency.

Abstract: A highly efficient grating structure for the coupling between standard optical fibers and single-mode waveguides in the silicon-on-insulator platform realized in a CMOS fabrication process is presented. The cost-effective method introduces a backside metal mirror to the grating coupler without need of an extensive wafer-to-wafer bonding. A coupling efficiency of −1.6 dB (around 69%) near the telecommunication wavelength 1550 nm and a large 1dB-bandwidth of 48 nm are achieved.

Optimal synthesis of double-phase computer generated holograms using a phase-only spatial light modulator with grating filter

Abstract: We propose an optical system for synthesizing double-phase complex computer-generated holograms using a phase-only spatial light modulator and a phase grating filter. Two separated areas of the phase-only spatial light modulator are optically superposed by 4-f configuration with an optimally designed grating filter to synthesize arbitrary complex optical field distributions. The tolerances related to misalignment factors are analyzed, and the optimal synthesis method of double-phase computer-generated holograms is described.

Talbot images of wavelength-scale amplitude gratings

Abstract: By means of experiment and simulation, we achieve unprecedented insights into the formation of Talbot images to be observed in transmission for light diffracted at wavelength-scale amplitude gratings. Emphasis is put on disclosing the impact and the interplay of various diffraction orders to the formation of Talbot images. They can be manipulated by selective filtering in the Fourier plane. Experiments are performed with a high-resolution interference microscope that measures the amplitude and phase of fields in real-space. Simulations have been performed using rigorous diffraction theory. Specific phase features, such as singularities found in the Talbot images, are discussed. This detailed analysis helps to understand the response of fine gratings. It provides moreover new insights into the fundamental properties of gratings that often find use in applications such as, e.g., lithography, sensing, and imaging.

Femtosecond laser color marking of metal and semiconductor surfaces

Abstract: Color marking of rough or smooth metal (Al, Cu, Ti) and semiconductor (Si) surfaces was realized via femtosecond laser fabrication of periodic surface nanorelief, representing one-dimensional diffraction gratings. Bright colors of the surface nanorelief, especially for longer electromagnetic wavelengths, were provided during marking through pre-determined variation of the laser incidence angle and the resulting change of the diffraction grating period. This coloration technique was demonstrated for the case of silicon and various metals to mark surfaces in any individual color with a controllable brightness level and almost without their accompanying chemical surface modification.

Optical properties of metal-dielectric based epsilon near zero metamaterials

Abstract: We demonstrate epsilon near zero (ENZ) metamaterials operating at visible wavelengths near 660 nm. The structure consists of a multilayer stack composite of alternating layers of Ag and TiO2, 16 nm and 54 nm thick, respectively. We found that a high refractive index material like TiO2 (n ∼ 2.3) is preferable to a lower index material to achieve good “mixing” resulting in a composite that better approximates a homogenous effective medium. Optical spectroscopy shows that transmission and absorption responses are consistent with ENZ behavior and match well with simulations. The transmission reduces with increasing number of multilayer pairs due to metal absorption. We have proposed an ENZ grating structure to boost the optical transmission at the ENZ frequencies. The grating structures have openings that enable potential introduction of gain media to combat losses or nanoscale emitters for light emission control.

Long-Period Fiber Grating Within D-Shaped Fiber Using Magnetic Fluid for Magnetic-Field Detection

Abstract: A magnetic sensor utilizing long-period fiber grating (LPFG) written by high frequency CO2 laser pulses in a D-shaped fiber and the magneto-optical effect of magnetic fluid is proposed. Because of the high evanescent field of the grating structure in D-shaped fiber, by immersing the LPFG with a period of 685 μm into a water-based magnetic fluid within a capillary tube, the redshift as high as 33.5 nm of the resonant wavelength of the grating is observed when the external magnetic-field intensity is 189.7 mT, resulting in a sensitivity of 176.4 pm/mT. The hysteresis effect is observed and explained by the characters of magnetic fluid. Such kind of sensors would find potential applications in magnetic sensing fields.

Polarization independent liquid crystal gratings based on orthogonal photoalignments

Abstract: The polarization independence of liquid crystal gratings with alternate orthogonal aligned regions is theoritically studied and demonstrated by means of photoalignment technique. The different alignments in adjecent regions are achieved by two-step photo exposure to guide orientations of sulfonic azo dye layers and further align the liquid crystal molecules. Both one-dimensional and two-dimensional switchable phase gratings have been demonstrated. Such polarizer-free gratings show very high transmittance (∼92%), diffraction efficiency (over 31%), and optical contrast (over 150) including low power consumption.

Analytical Wideband Model for Strip/Slit Gratings Loaded With Dielectric Slabs

Abstract: This paper presents a fully analytical model to determine the transmission and reflection properties of planar 1-D distributions of metal strips or slits made in thin metal screens. In contrast with other analytical or quasi-analytical approaches, the formulation incorporates the presence of dielectric slabs and is valid over a wide frequency band, from the long wavelength limit to the grating lobes operation. The model has been adapted to the case where two 1-D planar grids are stacked or a single grid is printed on a grounded substrate. In these cases, the model rigorously takes into account higher order mode interaction between the two stacked arrays of strips/slits or with the ground plane. Oblique incidence and both TE and TM polarizations have been considered. The analytical results show a good agreement with those computed by high-performance numerical methods, accounting for very fine details of extremely complicated transmission/reflection spectra. These results are of straightforward application to a variety of practical situations from microwaves to the terahertz regime. The present methodology can still be useful at higher frequencies provided that adequate models of the planar conductors are incorporated. In general, the model provides physical insight on the nature of the expected spectra and facilitates the design of devices based on planar metallic gratings.

Orbital angular momentum generation and mode transformation with high efficiency using forked polarization gratings.

Abstract: We present a novel optical element that efficiently generates orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light and transforms light between OAM modes based on a polarization grating with a fork-shaped singularity This forked polarization grating (FPG) is composed of liquid crystalline materials, and can be made either static or switchable with high diffraction efficiency (ie, 100% theoretically) into a single order By spatially varying the Pancharatnam–Berry phase, FPGs shape the wavefront and thus control the OAM mode We demonstrate theoretically and empirically that a charge lg FPG creates helical modes with OAM charge ±lg when a Gaussian beam is input, and more generally, transforms the incident helical mode with OAM charge lin into output modes with OAM charge lin±lg We also show for the first time that this conversion into a single mode can be very efficient (ie, ∼95% experimentally) at visible wavelengths, and the relative power between the two possible output modes is polarization-controllable from 0% to ∼100% We developed a fabrication method that substantially improves FPG quality and efficiency over prior work We also successfully fabricated switchable FPGs, which can be electrically switched between an OAM generating/transforming state and a transmissive state Our experimental results showed >92% conversion efficiency for both configurations at 633 nm These holographically fabricated elements are compact (ie, thin glass plates), lightweight, and easily optimized for nearly any wavelength from ultraviolet to infrared, for a wide range of OAM charge, and for large or small clear apertures They are ideal elements for enhanced control of OAM, eg, in optical trapping and high-capacity information

Exciton mediated self-organization in glass driven by ultrashort light pulses

Abstract: We propose an exciton-polariton-mediated self-organization effect in transparent SiO2 glass under intense femtosecond light irradiation. Interference and dipole-dipole interaction of polaritons causes formation of gratings of dielectric polarization. Due to an ultrafast exciton self-localization into a quasicrystal structure, the polariton gratings remain frozen in glass and a permanent three-dimensional image of exciton-polariton gas is created. We show that coherent effects in propagation of exciton-polaritons can serve as a tool for nanostructuring and fabrication of 5-dimensional optical memories in glass, opening new horizons for polaritronics.

Apodized focusing subwavelength grating couplers for suspended membrane waveguides

Abstract: We demonstrate an apodized focusing subwavelength grating (SWG) for suspended membrane waveguides on silicon-on-insulator. Finite-difference time-domain simulation predicts −1.7 dB coupling efficiency and a 3 dB bandwidth of ∼50 nm for the transverse-magnetic mode apodized SWG, which has 98% field overlap with propagation mode in the single mode fiber. A modified phase matching formula is proposed to design the focusing apodized SWG. Better than −3.0 dB coupling efficiency and a 3 dB optical bandwidth of ∼50 nm is demonstrated experimentally.

Generation of Bessel beam arrays through Dammann gratings

Abstract: In this work we apply the Dammann grating concept to generate an equal-intensity square array of Bessel quasi-free diffraction beams that diverge from a common center. We generate a binary phase mask that combines the axicon phase with the phase of a Dammann grating. The procedure can be extended to include vortex spiral phases that generate an array of optical pipes. Experimental results are provided by means of a twisted nematic liquid crystal display operating as a binary π phase spatial light modulator.

Polarization-independent visible wavelength filter incorporating a symmetric metal-dielectric resonant structure

Abstract: A nanophotonic polarization-independent visible wavelength filter is presented, incorporating a symmetric metal-dielectric resonant structure on quartz substrate, where a sub-wavelength grating, made up of a two-dimensional array of Al square sheets, is integrated with a Si3N4 slab waveguide via an oxide layer. Incident light is orthogonally diffracted by the symmetric grating towards two directions of the grating groove, and then resonantly coupled to both transverse electric and transverse magnetic guided modes associated with the underlying waveguide, irrespective of light polarization. Polarization independent bandpass filtering was thus achieved around specific wavelengths, determined by the grating pitch and the effective index of the waveguide. Three devices, operating in the blue, green and red spectral bands, were built through design and analysis drawing upon the finite-difference time-domain method. The devices, DEV I, II, and III, were constructed with grating pitches of 285, 355 and 395 nm, respectively, while the core was 100 nm thick. They were inspected to function as an efficient bandpass filter, centered at 460, 560 and 610 nm, with bandwidths of about 13, 14 and 17 nm, respectively; the peak transmission efficiencies were consistently over 85%. Furthermore, the transfer characteristics, insensitive to light polarization, were satisfactorily confirmed for normal incidence.