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By a simple femtosecond laser process, we fabricated metal-oxide/gold composite films for electrical and optical gas sensors. We designed a dripple wavelength AWG-spectrometer, matched to the plasma absorption wavelength region of the composite films. H2/CO absorptions fit well with the AWG design for multi gas detection sensor arrays
This study presents different approaches to increase the sensing area of NiO based semiconducting metal oxide gas sensors. Micro- and nanopatterned laser induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are generated on silicon and Si/SiO2 substrates. The surface morphologies of the fabricated samples are examined by FE SEM. We select the silicon samples with an intermediate Si3N4 layer due to its superior isolation quality over the thermal oxide for evaluating the hydrogen and acetone sensitivity of a NiO based test sensor.
Whether at the intramolecular or cellular scale in organisms, cell-cell adhesion adapt to external mechanical cues arising from the static environment of cells and from dynamic interactions between neighboring cells. Cell-cell adhesions need to resist detachment forces to secure the integrity and internal organization of organisms. In the past, various techniques have been developed to characterize adhesion properties of molecules and cells in vitro, and to understand how cells sense and probe their environment. Atomic force microscopy and dual-pipette aspiration, where cells are mainly present in suspension, are common methods for studying detachment forces of cell-cell adhesions. How cell-cell adhesion forces are developed for adherent and environment-adapted cells, however, is less clear. Here, we designed the Cell-Cell Separation Device (CC-SD), a microstructured substrate that measures both intercellular forces and external stresses of cells towards the matrix. The design is based on micropillar arrays originally designed for cell traction-force measurements. We designed PDMS micropillar-blocks, to which cells could adhere and be able to connect to each other across the gap. Controlled stretching of the whole substrate changed the distance between blocks and increased gap size. That allowed us to apply strains to cell-cell contacts, eventually leading to cell-cell adhesion detachment, which was measured by pillar deflections. The CC-SD provided an increase of the gap between the blocks of up to 2.4-fold, which was sufficient to separate substrate-attached cells with fully developed F-actin network. Simultaneously measured pillar deflections allowed us to address cellular response to the intercellular strain applied. The CC-SD thus opens up possibilities for the analysis of intercellular force detachments and sheds light on the robustness of cell-cell adhesions in dynamic processes in tissue development.
This paper presents design, simulation, and optimization of the three-dimensional 1×4 optical multimode interference splitter using IP-Dip polymer as a core and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sylgard 184 as a cladding. The splitter was simulated by using beam propagation method in BeamPROP simulation engine of RSoft photonic tool and optimized for an operating wavelength of 1.55 µm. According to the minimum insertion loss, the dimensions of the MMI coupler and the length of the whole MMI splitter structure were optimized applying a waveguide with a core size of 4×4 µm2. The objective of the study is to create a design for fabrication by three-dimensional direct laser writing optical lithography.
Design, simulation, and optimization of the 1×4 optical three-dimensional multimode interference splitter using IP-Dip polymer as a core and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sylgard 184 as a cladding is demonstrated. The splitter was simulated by using beam propagation method in BeamPROP simulation module of RSoft photonic tool and optimized for an operating wavelength of 1.55 μm . According to the minimum insertion loss, the dimensions of the splitter were optimized for a waveguide with a core size of 4×4 μm2 . The objective of the study is to create the design for fabrication by three-dimensional direct laser writing optical lithography.
We present design of planar 16-channel, 100-GHz multi-mode polymer-based AWG. This AWG was designed for central wavelength of 1550 nm applying AWG-Parameters tool. The AWG structure was created and simulated in the commercial photonic tool PHASAR from Optiwave. Achieved transmission characteristics were evaluated by AWG-Analyzer tool. For the design, multi-mode waveguides having a cross-section of (4x4) µm2 were used. The simulated results show strong worsening of the transmission characteristics in comparison when using single-mode waveguides. Nevertheless, the transmitting channels are clearly separated. The reason for using thicker multi-mode waveguides in the design is possibility to fabricate the AWG structure on polymer basis using direct laser writing lithography.
Optoelectronic system based on photonic integrated circuits to miniaturize spectral domain OCT
(2023)
We present a miniaturized optical coherence tomography (OCT) setup based on photonic integrated circuits (PIC) for the 850 nm range. We designed a 512-channel arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) on a PIC for spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT) that is co-integrated with PIN-photodiodes and analog-to-digital-converters on one single chip. This image sensor is combined with all the necessary electronics to act as a camera. It is integrated into a fiber-based OCT system, achieving a sensitivity of >80dB and various samples are imaged. This optoelectronic system will allow building small and cost-effective OCT systems to monitor retinal diseases.
The main aims of this work are the validation of the developed process of gluing a single-mode optical fiber array with a photonic chip and the selection of a more suitable adhesive from the two adhesives being compared. An active alignment system was used for adjusting the two optical fiber arrays to a photonics chip. The gluing was done by two compared UV curable adhesives applied in the optical path. The insertion losses of glued coupling were measured and investigated at two discrete wavelengths 1310 nm and 1550 nm during temperature testing in the climatic chamber according to Telcordia GR_1209_Corei04 [3]. The measurement, investigation, and comparison of insertion losses of the glued coupling at the spectral band from 1530 nm to 1570 nm were done immediately after gluing process and after three temperature cycles in the climatic chamber with one month delay.
In this paper, a 256-channel, 10-GHz arrayed waveguide gratings demultiplexer for ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing was designed using an in-house developed tool called AWG-Parameters. The AWG demultiplexer was designed for a central wavelength of 1550 nm and the structure was simulated in PHASAR tool from Optiwave. Two different AWG designs were developed and the influence of the design parameters on the AWG performance was studied.
In this work, parametric excitation is introduced in a fully balanced flexible rotor mounted on two identical active gas foil bearings. The active gas foil bearings change the top foil shape harmonically with a specific amplitude and frequency. The deformable foil shape is approximated by an analytical function, while the gas pressure distribution is evaluated by the numerical solution of the Reynolds equation for compressible flow. The harmonic variation of the foil shape generates a respective variation in the bearings’ stiffness and damping properties and the system experiences parametric resonances and antiresonances in specific excitation frequencies. The nonlinear gas bearing forces generate bifurcations in the solutions of the system at certain rotating speeds and excitation frequencies; period doubling and Neimark-Sacker bifurcations are noticed in the examined system, and their progress is evaluated as the two bifurcation parameters (rotating speed and parametric excitation frequency) are changed, though a codimension-2 numerical continuation of limit cycles. It is found that at specific range of excitation frequency there are parametric anti-resonances and the bifurcations collide and vanish. Therefore, a bifurcation-free operating range is established and the system can operate stable at a wide speed range.
Parametric anti-resonance is a phenomenon that occurs in systems with at least two degrees of freedom; this can be achieved by periodically exciting some parameters of the system. The effect of this properly tuned periodicity is to increase the dissipation in the system, which leads to a raising in the effective damping of vibrations. This contribution presents the design of an open-loop control to reduce the settling time using the anti-resonance concept. The control signal consists of a quasi-periodic signal capable of transferring the system’s oscillations from one mode to another mode of the system. The general averaging technique is used to characterize the dynamics, particularly the so-called slow dynamics of motion. With this analysis, the control signal is designed for the potential application of a microelectromechanical sensor arrangement; for this specific example, up to 96.8% reduction of settling time is achieved.
Beyond the Four-Level Model: Dark and Hot States in Quantum Dots Degrade Photonic Entanglement
(2023)
Entangled photon pairs are essential for a multitude of quantum photonic applications. To date, the best performing solid-state quantum emitters of entangled photons are semiconductor quantum dots operated around liquid-helium temperatures. To favor the widespread deployment of these sources, it is important to explore and understand their behavior at temperatures accessible with compact Stirling coolers. Here we study the polarization entanglement among photon pairs from the biexciton–exciton cascade in GaAs quantum dots at temperatures up to ∼65 K. We observe entanglement degradation accompanied by changes in decay dynamics, which we ascribe to thermal population and depopulation of hot and dark states in addition to the four levels relevant for photon pair generation. Detailed calculations considering the presence and characteristics of the additional states and phonon-assisted transitions support the interpretation. We expect these results to guide the optimization of quantum dots as sources of highly entangled photons at elevated temperatures.
Synthetic polymers, such as polyamide (PA), inherently possess a moderate number of surface functionalities compared to natural polymers, which negatively impacts the uniformity of metallic coatings obtained through wet-chemical methods like electroless plating. The paper presents the use of a siloxane interlayer formed from the condensation of the hydrolyzed 3-triethoxysilylpropyl succinic anhydride (TESPSA) precursor as a strategy to modify the surface properties of polyamide 6.6 (PA66) fabrics and improve the uniformity of the copper surface coating. The application of the siloxane intermediate coating demonstrates a significant improvement in electrical conductivity, up to 20 times higher than fabrics without the interlayer. The morphology of the coatings was investigated using scanning electron (SEM) and laser confocal scanning microscopy (LSM). In addition, dye adsorption, flexural rigidity, air permeability and contact angle measurements were conducted to monitor the change in the PA66 properties after the siloxane functionalization.
Strain-induced dynamic control over the population of quantum emitters in two-dimensional materials
(2023)
The discovery of quantum emitters in two-dimensional materials has triggered a surge of research to assess their suitability for quantum photonics. While their microscopic origin is still the subject of intense studies, ordered arrays of quantum emitters are routinely fabricated using static strain-gradients, which are used to drive excitons toward localized regions of the 2D crystals where quantum-light-emission takes place. However, the possibility of using strain in a dynamic fashion to control the appearance of individual quantum emitters has never been explored so far. In this work, we tackle this challenge by introducing a novel hybrid semiconductor-piezoelectric device in which WSe2 monolayers are integrated onto piezoelectric pillars delivering both static and dynamic strains. Static strains are first used to induce the formation of quantum emitters, whose emission shows photon anti-bunching. Their excitonic population and emission energy are then reversibly controlled via the application of a voltage to the piezoelectric pillar. Numerical simulations combined with drift-diffusion equations show that these effects are due to a strain-induced modification of the confining-potential landscape, which in turn leads to a net redistribution of excitons among the different quantum emitters. Our work provides relevant insights into the role of strain in the formation of quantum emitters in 2D materials and suggests a method to switch them on and off on demand.
Signatures of the optical stark effect on entangled photon pairs from resonantly-pumped quantum dots
(2023)
Two-photon resonant excitation of the biexciton-exciton cascade in a quantum dot generates highly polarization-entangled photon pairs in a near-deterministic way. However, the ultimate level of achievable entanglement is still debated. Here, we observe the impact of the laser-induced ac-Stark effect on the quantum dot emission spectra and on entanglement. For increasing pulse-duration-to-lifetime ratios and pump powers, decreasing values of concurrence are recorded. Nonetheless, additional contributions are still required to fully account for the observed below-unity concurrence.
A quantum-light source that delivers photons with a high brightness and a high degree of entanglement is fundamental for the development of efficient entanglement-based quantum-key distribution systems. Among all possible candidates, epitaxial quantum dots are currently emerging as one of the brightest sources of highly entangled photons. However, the optimization of both brightness and entanglement currently requires different technologies that are difficult to combine in a scalable manner. In this work, we overcome this challenge by developing a novel device consisting of a quantum dot embedded in a circular Bragg resonator, in turn, integrated onto a micromachined piezoelectric actuator. The resonator engineers the light-matter interaction to empower extraction efficiencies up to 0.69(4). Simultaneously, the actuator manipulates strain fields that tune the quantum dot for the generation of entangled photons with fidelities up to 0.96(1). This hybrid technology has the potential to overcome the limitations of the key rates that plague current approaches to entanglement-based quantum key distribution and entanglement-based quantum networks. Introduction
Experimental multi-state quantum discrimination in the frequency domain with quantum dot light
(2022)
The quest for the realization of effective quantum state discrimination strategies is of great interest for quantum information technology, as well as for fundamental studies. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new and more efficient methods to implement discrimination protocols for quantum states. Among the others, single photon implementations are more advisable, because of their inherent security advantage in quantum communication scenarios. In this work, we present the experimental realization of a protocol employing a time-multiplexing strategy to optimally discriminate among eight non-orthogonal states, encoded in the four-dimensional Hilbert space spanning both the polarization degree of freedom and photon energy. The experiment, built on a custom-designed bulk optics analyser setup and single photons generated by a nearly deterministic solid-state source, represents a benchmarking example of minimum error discrimination with actual quantum states, requiring only linear optics and two photodetectors to be realized. Our work paves the way for more complex applications and delivers a novel approach towards high-dimensional quantum encoding and decoding operations.
In this paper, the design of three-dimensional configuration of Y-branch splitter is compared with Multimode Interference splitter. Both splitters use the IP-Dip polymer as a standard material for 3D laser lithography. The optical properties of the splitters for both approaches are discussed and compared.
The paper deals with designing and numerical modelling a 2 x 2 optical switch for photonic integrated circuits based on 2 x 2 MMI elements and phase modulators. The 2 x 2 optical switch was modelled in the RsoftCAD with the simulation tool BeamPROP. The 2 x 2 optical switch is a common element for creating more complex 1 x N or N x N optical switches in all-optical signal processing.
In this work, we investigated the influence of different etch depths of the rib waveguides on the performance of SiN-based AWGs. For this purpose, an 8-channel 100 GHz AWG was designed for a center wavelength of 850 nm. The design parameters entered were calculated using the AWG-Parameters tool. The simulations were performed with a commercial photonic tool PHASAR from Optiwave. The simulated performance was evaluated using the AWG-Analyzer tool. For the AWG design, we used three identical rib waveguides with different etch depths to simulate possible etch imperfection. The simulations show the wavelength shift and degradation of the AWG performance.
Highly-sensitive single-step sensing of levodopa by swellable microneedle-mounted nanogap sensors
(2022)
Microneedle (MN) sensing of biomarkers in interstitial fluid (ISF) can overcome the challenges of self-diagnosis of diseases by a patient, such as blood sampling, handling, and measurement analysis. However, the MN sensing technologies still suffer from poor measurement accuracy due to the small amount of target molecules present in ISF, and require multiple steps of ISF extraction, ISF isolation from MN, and measurement with additional equipment. Here, we present a swellable MN-mounted nanogap sensor that can be inserted into the skin tissue, absorb ISF rapidly, and measure biomarkers in situ by amplifying the measurement signals by redox cycling in nanogap electrodes. We demonstrate that the MN-nanogap sensor measures levodopa (LDA), medication for Parkinson disease, down to 100 nM in an aqueous solution, and 1 μM in both the skin-mimicked gelatin phantom and porcine skin.
The properties of SiC and diamond make them attractive materials for MEMS and sensor devices. We innovated specific laser ablation techniques to fabricate membranes and cantilevers made of SiC or nano-(micro-) crystalline diamond films grown on Si/SiO2 substrates by microwave chemical vapour deposition (MWCVD). We started research to generate surface moulds to grow corrugated diamond films for membranes and cantilevers. A software tool was developed to support the design of micromechanical cantilevers. We can measure deformation and resonant frequency of diamond cantilevers and identify the global mechanical properties. A benchmark against finite element simulations enables an inverse identification of the specific system parameters and simplifies the characterization procedure.
The paper deals with the optimization of 2x2 optical switch for photonic integrated circuits based on two 2x2 MMI splitters and two phase-modulators. The optical switch was modelled in the RSoftCAD with the simulation tool BeamPROP. The optimization was done to minimise the insertion losses and broaden the spectral band at 1550 nm by using linear tapers in a 2x2 MMI splitter topology. The 2x2 optical switch is a common element for creating more complex 1xN or NxN optical switches in all-optical signal processing.
Due to the increasing trend of photonic element miniaturisation and the need for optical splitting, we propose and simulate a new type of three-dimensional (3D) optical splitter based on multimode interference (MMI) for the wavelength of 1550 nm. We present various designs and simulations of various parameters for the optimized MMI splitter. We focus on the possibility of its integration on an optical fiber. The design is focused on a possible production process using 3D laser lithography for the prepared experiments. The MMI splitter was prepared by laser lithography using direct writing process and finally investigated by output characterisation by the near-field measurement.
A new software tool, called AWG-Channel-Spacing, is developed to calculate accurate channel spacing of an arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG) optical multiplexer/demultiplexer. This tool has been developed with the application framework QT in the programming language C++. The tool was evaluated with a design of 20-channel 200 GHz AWG. The achieved simulated transmission characteristics prove the correct functionality of the tool.
This paper describes two different designs of 1×8 passive optical splitters. The first splitter consists of cascade arranged directional waveguide branches (Y-branch splitter) with (0.8×0.16) µm2 waveguide cross-section. The second splitter is based on multimode interference occurring in a large MMI coupler, which uses a self-imaging effect for beam propagation, exhibiting the same waveguide core size as a Y-branch splitter. The waveguide channel profile, used in both approaches, is based on a silicon nitride material platform, with a refractive index of core being nc = 1.925 and a refractive index of cladding ncl = 1.4575. The splitters are designed as a planar structure for a medical operating wavelength 850 nm. Design, simulation, and optimization of passive optical components are performed by a commercial photonic software tool BeamPROP simulation engine by RSoft Photonics Suite tool, employing beam propagation method. This work aims to find the minimum physical dimensions of the designed splitters with the satisfactory optical performance. According to the minimum insertion loss and minimum non-uniformity, the optimum length of the splitters is determined. Finally, the optical properties of splitters for both approaches are discussed and compared with each other.
A new software tool, called AWG-Wuckler, is developed to calculate geometric parameters of arrayed waveguide grating structures for telecommunication and medical applications. These parameters are crucial for a AWG layout which will be created and simulated using commercial photonic design tools. The design process of AWG is very complex because its geometric dimensions depend on a large number of input design parameters and other input design parameters. Often geometric constraints require an adjustment of the input design parameters and vice versa. Calculation and adjustment of the geometric parameters is a time-consuming process that is currently not fully supported by any commercial photonic tool. AWG-Wuckler tool overcomes this issue and offers a fast and easy to use solution. The tool was already applied in various AWG designs and is technologically well proven.
Deep etched structures in GaAs with high aspect ratio have promising applications in optoelectronics and MEMS devices. The key factors in their fabrication process are the choosing of proper mask material and etching conditions which results in high selectivity and an anisotropic etch profile with smooth sidewalls. In this work, we studied several types of mask materials (Al, Ni, Cr, SiO2) for deep reactive ion etching of GaAs using inductively coupled plasma system. Thus, several sets of experiments were performed with varying gas mixture, pressure and ICP/RF power. As a result, we find optimized conditions and minimal thickness of mask material for achieving deep etched (>140 m) GaAs structures.
This paper aims to study the design, simulation, and optimization of low-loss Y-branch passive optical splitters up to 64 output ports for telecommunication applications. For a waveguide channel profile, the standard material silica-on-silicon is used. The Y-splitters are designed and simulated at telecommunication operating wavelength, λ = 1550 nm. Except for the lengths of the used Y-branches, and a core size of the waveguides, design parameters such as port pitch between the waveguides and simulation parameters for all splitters are considered fixed. The simulation results are analyzed to determine the optimum length of the splitters and the optimum core size. Based on this optimization the total length of the highest designed 1×64 Y-branch splitter was reduced by 41.14 % for a waveguide core (5×5) μm2 compared to the length of splitter with a standard (6×6) μm2 core size.
The paper shows concepts of optical splitting based on three dimensional (3D) optical splitters based on multimode interference principle. This paper is focused on the design, fabrication and characterization of 3D MMI splitter with formed output waveguides based on IP-Dip polymer for direct application on optical fiber. The MMI optical splitter was simulated and fabricated using direct laser writing process. Output characteristics were characterized by highly resolved near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) and compared with 3D MMI splitter without output waveguides.
The properties of diamond make it an attractive material for MEMS and sensor devices. We present the feasibility to fabricate membranes and cantilevers made of nano-(micro-) crystalline diamond films grown on Si/SiO2 substrates using microwave chemical vapour deposition (MWCVD). The patterning of micromechanical structures was performed by a combined process of femtosecond laser ablation and wet etching. We designed cantilever structures with varying lengths and widths (25, 50, 100, 200 and 300 μm). The cantilevers were made in a symmetric left- and right-hand configuration. An additional laser treatment was used to modify the mechanical properties of the left-hand cantilever. The deflection of the laser-treated, and non-treated sections was measured. The global mechanical system properties were simulated and corresponded with high accuracy to the measured results of deflection.
We present 256-channel, 25-GHz AWG designed for ultra-dense wavelength division multiplexing. For the design two in-house developed tools were used: AWG-Parameters tool for the calculation of input design parameters and AWGAnalyser tool, used to evaluate the simulated transmission characteristics. The AWG structure was designed for AWG central wavelength of 1550 nm and simulated with PHASAR tool from Optiwave. To keep the size of AWG structure as small as possible the number of waveguides in the phased array was tested. The simulations show that there is a certain minimum number of phased array waveguides necessary to reach sufficient AWG performance. After optimization, the AWG structure reached 10 cm x 11 cm in size and satisfying optical properties.
Semiconducting metal oxides are widely used for solar cells, poto-catalysis, bio-active materials and gas sensors. Besides the material properties of the used semiconductor,the specific surface topology of the sensor determines the device performance. We investigate the preparation and transfer suitable metals onto LIPPS structures on glass for gas sensing applications.
Various carbon (nano-) forms, so-called allotropes, have become one of the most supporting activities in fundamental and applied research trends. Therefore, a universal deposition process capable of “adjusting” system parameters in one “deposition chamber” is highly demanding. Here, we present a low-pressure large area deposition system combining radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) plasma in one chamber in different configurations, which offers a wide deposition window for the growth of sp2 carbon (carbon nanotubes, amorphous carbon), a mixture of sp2 and sp3 (diamond-like films) and pure sp3 carbon represented by diamond films. We will show that not only the type of plasma source (RF vs. MW) but also the gas mixture and plasma chemistry are crucial parameters for the controllable and reproducible growth of these allotropes at temperatures from 250 to 800 °C.
In this paper we present various educational activities with Photonics Explorer, an educational kit developed by the photonics research team B - PHOT at VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) for students at secondary schools. The concept is a ‘lab-in-a-box’ that enables students of the 2 nd and 3 rd grade to do photonics experiments themselves at school with lasers, LEDs, lenses, optical fibers, and other high-tech components. Even though, the kit was developed for the secondary schools, we use experiments from the kit also for some other teaching activities such as lectures at the university, photonics workshops for teachers and children at primary/secondary schools or for events such as children's/youth's university or the night of sciences. In the frame of Austrian based project Phorsch! we have organized most of these activities which will be presented here.
Design, simulation, and optimization of the 1×4 optical three-dimensional multimode interference splitter using IP-Dip polymer as a core and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sylgard 184 as a cladding is demonstrated. The splitter was simulated by using beam propagation method in BeamPROP simulation module of RSoft photonic tool and optimized for an operating wavelength of 1.55 μm . According to the minimum insertion loss, the dimensions of the splitter were optimized for a waveguide with a core size of 4×4 μm2 . The objective of the study is to create the design for fabrication by three-dimensional direct laser writing optical lithography.
In this paper, we document optical splitters based on Y-branch and also on MMI splitting principle. The 1×4 Y-branch splitter was prepared in 3D geometry fully from polymer approaching the single mode transmission at 1550 nm. We also prepared new concept of 1×4 MMI optical splitter. Their optical properties and character of output optical field were measured by near-field scanning optical microscope. Splitting properties and optical outputs of both splitters are very promising and increase an attractiveness of presented 3D technology and polymers.
Femtosecond laser ablation on Si generates 2D ripple structures, known as laser induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) and pinholes. We fabricated membranes with 20 to 50 μm thickness perforated by an array of tapered pinholes up to 5 μm in diameter and 10 to 20 μm spacing. Within several micrometer the pinholes transform into hollow photonic waveguides with constant diameter from 1μm to 2μm. Such structures offer a 3D photonic coupling device for polymer Y-branch- and MMI-splitter. We measured a considerable change of electrical resistivity for 500 ppm H2 in air using Si/SiO2/TiO2 substrates with 2D LIPSS. We propose to investigate 3D waveguide arrays also for photonic-chemical sensors.
A Telecom optical fibers are still being the best transmission medium of digital data and analogue signals for long distance applications. Progress in integrated photonics enables development of photonic chips with new unique properties, circuits of the future, and overcomes current limits in information and communication technologies. The packaging of photonic chips is necessary for taking them out of research laboratories into real implementation in the information and communication technology applications. One important step of packaging is effective coupling of optical radiation between telecom optical fiber with ten microns core dimension and photonic chip optical waveguide with submicron dimensions. For complex photonic chips, it is necessary to couple not one optical fiber but several optical fibers, which are arranged in fiber arrays. In this case, it is necessary to use a 6D positioning system, which allows to optimally adjust the relative position of the photonic chip and the fiber arrays. After setting the optimal relative position of the photonic chip and the fiber array, the process of their fixation follows. One possibility of fixation is gluing with an adhesive in the optical path between the photonic chip and an array of optical fibers with a refractive index close to the refractive index of the optical fiber core. This paper is focused on the experimental test set-up for the temperature characterization of fiber array to photonics chip butt coupling at 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths fixed themselves by UV adhesive in the optical path. The main aims of this works are selection of better adhesive from two types for gluing of photonic chip and fiber array in packaging process of photonics chips and validation of gluing process developing. The coupling and alignment of fiber arrays to photonics chip were done by automated active alignments system and they were fixed themselves by curable epoxy adhesive. Temperature changes of coupling insertion losses are measured and investigated for two different UV adhesives during three temperature cycles from -40 °C to 80 °C in climatic chamber according to Telcordia. Spectral dependence of insertion losses were measured and compared before and after three temperature cycles for 1530 nm to 1570 nm spectral range at room temperature.
This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contracts APVV-17-0662 and SK-AT-20-0017 and by the COST Action “European Network for High Performance Integrated Microwave Photonics” (EUIMWP) CA16220.
Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) is a passive optical component, which have found applications in a wide range of photonic applications including telecommunications and medicine. Silica-on-Silicon (SoS) based AWGs use a low refractive-index contrast between the core (waveguide) and the cladding which leads to some significant advantages such as low propagation losses and low fiber coupling losses between the AWG waveguides and the fibres. Therefore, they are an attractive DWDM solution offering higher channel count technology and good performance characteristics compared to other methods. However, the very low refractive-index contrast means the bending radius of the waveguides needs to be very large (on the order of several millimeters) and may not fall below a particular critical value to suppress bending losses. As a result, silica-based waveguide devices usually have a very large size that limits the integration density of SiO2-based photonic integrated devices. High-index contrast AWGs (such as silicon, silicon nitride or polymer-based waveguide devices) feature much smaller waveguide size compared to low index contrast AWGs. Such compact devices can easily be implemented on a chip and have already found applications in emerging applications such as optical sensors, devices for DNA diagnostics and optical spectrometers for infrared spectroscopy.In this work, we present the design, simulation, technological verification and applications of both, the low-index contrast and high-index contrast AWGs. For telecommunication applications AWG-MUX/Demux with up to 128-channels will be presented. For medical applications the AWG-spectrometer with up to 512-channels will be presented.This work was carried out in the framework of the projects: ADOPT No. SK-AT-20-0012, NOVASiN No. SK-AT-20-0017 and AUTOPIC No. APVV-17-0662 from Slovak research and development agency of Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and No. SK 07/2021 and SK 08/2021 from Austrian Agency for International Cooperation in Education and Research (OeAD-GmbH); and project PASTEL, no. 2020-10-15-001, funded by SAIA.
In this paper, design of 1×8 multimode interference passive optical splitter is proposed. The structure of the splitter is designed based on a silicon nitride material platform. This work aims to find the minimum physical dimensions of the designed splitters with the satisfactory optical performance. According to the minimum insertion loss and minimum non-uniformity, the optimum length of the splitters is determined.
This paper presents the design, simulation, and optimization of a 1×128 multimode interference (MMI) splitter with a silica-on-silicon channel profile. This work aims to study the influence of the different S-Bend output waveguide shapes at the end of the MMI coupler on the final optical properties. The 1×128 MMI splitters have been simulated using beam propagation method in OptiBPM software. The optical properties of all considered splitters with different shapes of outputs waveguides are discussed and compared with each other. Based on the minimum insertion loss and non-uniformity, the final shape of output waveguides, ensuring the lowest losses, is determined.
We present design, simulation and optimization of polymer based 16-channel, 100-GHz AWG designed for central wavelength of 1550 nm. The input design parameters were calculated applying AWG-Parameters tool. The simulations were performed applying a commercial photonic tool PHASAR from Optiwave. The achieved transmission characteristics were evaluated by AWG-Analyzer tool and show a satisfying agreement between designed and simulated AWG optical properties. Finally, the influence of the number of phased array (PA) waveguides on the AWG performance was studied. The results show that there is a certain minimum number of PA waveguides necessary to reach sufficient AWG performance.
In this paper we report on the experimental test set-up for the temperature characterization of fiber array to photonics chip butt coupling at 1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths. The alignment and gluing of fiber arrays to photonics chip were done by automated active alignments system and they were fixed themselves by UV curable epoxy adhesive. Temperature changes of coupling insertion losses are measured and investigated for two different UV adhesives during three temperature cycles from -40 °C to 80 °C in climatic chamber. Spectral dependence of insertion losses was measured and compared before and after three temperature cycles for 1530 nm to 1570 nm spectral range at room temperature.
We present a new concept of 3D polymer-based 1 × 4 beam splitter for wavelength splitting around 1550 nm. The beam splitter consists of IP-Dip polymer as a core and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Sylgard 184 as a cladding. The splitter was designed and simulated with two different photonics tools and the results show high splitting ratio for single-mode and multi-mode operation with low losses. Based on the simulations, a 3D beam splitter was designed and realized using direct laser writing (DLW) process with adaptation to coupling to standard single-mode fiber. With respect to the technological limits, the multi-mode splitter having core of (4 × 4) μm 2 was designed and fabricated together with supporting stable mechanical construction. Splitting properties were investigated by intensity monitoring of splitter outputs using optical microscopy and near-field scanning optical microscopy. In the development phase, the optical performance of fabricated beam splitter was examined by splitting of short visible wavelengths using red light emitting diode. Finally, the splitting of 1550 nm laser light was studied in detail by near-field measurements and compared with the simulated results. The nearly single-mode operation was observed and the shape of propagating mode and mode field diameter was well recognized.
An electrochemical study with three redox substances on a carbon based nanogap electrode array
(2020)
Production and tribological characterization of tailored laser-induced surface 3D microtextures
(2019)
Comparison of silicon nitride based 1x8 Y-branch splitters applying different waveguide structures
(2019)
This paper presents design, simulation and optimization of 1x8 Y-branch power splitters based on Si/SiO2/SiN/SiOx material platform. For the designs, two different waveguide structures were used, i.e. ridge and rib waveguides. The splitters were designed for 850 nm spectral optical window and the simulations were performed applying FEM and BPM methods in RSoft photonic tool. The aim of this work was to find minimum physical dimensions of the designed splitters occupying minimal space on PIC chip. The optimization was done with regards to high symmetrical splitting ratio and low insertion loss. Finally, the optical properties of both splitters were studied and compared with each other.
Compact and high-resolution 256-channel silicon nitride based AWG-spectrometer for OCT on a chip
(2019)
We present design, simulation and technological verification of a compact 256-channel, 42-GHz silicon nitride based AWG-spectrometer. The spectrometer was designed for TM-polarized light with a central wavelength of 850 nm, applying “AWG-Parameters” tool. This design is based on a previous study of various AWG designs (8-channel, 100-GHz; 20-channel, 50-GHz; 40-channel, 50-GHz, 80-channel, 50-GHz and 160-channel, 50-GHz AWGs), which were all technologically verified. The spectrometer features small size and high resolution. It is integrated on OCT chip using standard CMOS processes. The SD-OCT system is developed to operate in a wavelength range from 800 nm to 900 nm, having 0.1 nm resolution.
Comparison of silicon nitride based 8-channel 100-GHz AWGs applying different waveguide structures
(2019)
This paper presents design and simulation of 8-channel, 100-GHz AWGs based on Si/SiO2/SiN/SiOx material platform. For the designs, two different waveguide structures were used, i.e. ridge and rib waveguides. AWGs were designed for central wavelength of 850 nm applying AWG-Parameters tool. The simulations were performed applying FEM and BPM methods in RSoft and PHASAR photonic tools. The simulation results show considerably lower losses but slightly higher channel crosstalk when applying rib waveguides.
We present design and simulation of 16-channel, 100-GHz silicon nitride based AWG using BeamPROP simulation engine of RSoft photonic tool. The AWG was designed for TM-polarized light with central wavelength of 850 nm. The input design parameters were calculated applying AWG-Parameters tool. For this purpose, we created a ridge waveguide structure, used in the design of the AWG layout, and performed FEM simulation. The output of the BPM simulation of AWG structure are the transmission characteristics, which was used to calculate transmission parameters defining optical properties of simulated AWG. The achieved simulation results are in a good agreement with the design.
The photonic integrated circuits are required in the next generations of coherent terabit optical communications. The software tools for automated adjustment and coupling of optical fiber arrays to photonic integrated circuits has been developed. The obtained results are needed in final production phase in the technology process of photonic integrated circuits packaging.
In this study, we carried out the structural and thermal characterization of a medical-grade poly (lactide) (PLA) by SEC, TGA, DSC, NMR, ICP-MS and Py-GC/MS. Moreover, we investigated the laser-induced degradation occurring when ultrashort laser pulses (ULP) were employed to cut extremely thin polymer films prepared by solvent-casting. ULP polymer cutting technology is an interesting manufacturing process for its advantages in potential medical applications. In fact, heat transmission to the region surrounding the cuts is limited, so that the incisions are precise and the effects on the regions around them are small. In this way, the need for post-processing is reduced and ULP cutting becomes interesting for industrial applications. However, degradation induced by ULP may occur and compromise the properties of the polymer samples. To investigate this possibility, portions of PLA films, ultrashort laser cut (ULC) and uncut, were analysed by SEC, DSC, NMR and FTIR. Furthermore, PLA oligomers were studied by ESI-MS. Both SEC and NMR showed a decrease in the molecular weight. FTIR, ESI-MS and NMR spectra revealed the presence of olefin end groups originated from a \beta-H transfer mechanism, induced by heat and/or light (Norrish II mechanism). Additionally, the inspection of the ESI mass spectra highlighted the cleavage of ester bonds related to the Norrish I type mechanism, undetected by the other techniques.
Progress in integrated photonics enables development of integrated photonics circuits with new unique properties, circuits of the future, and overcomes current limits in information and communication technologies. The packaging of photonic integrated circuits is necessary for taking them out of research laboratories into real implementation in the information and communication technology applications.
Telecom optical fibers are still being the best transmission medium of digital data and analogue signals for long distance applications. The effective coupling of optical radiation between telecom optical fiber with ten microns core dimension and photonic integrated circuits optical waveguides with submicron dimensions are necessary. To address these challenges, we present our concept of photonics integrated circuit packaging with radio frequency, direct current and fiber array ports with automated active alignment system.
SiN is a suitable material for fabricating of photonic integrated circuits with middle refractive index contrast for the visible and near infrared spectral region with ultra-low propagation losses. The paper deals with the design and simulation of fiber to SiN chip butt coupler with single step fabrication process without thickness tapering. Coupler is designed for 850 nm band for coupling between strip 0.25 μm × 1.00 μm waveguide and Nufern's 780-OCT single mode optical fiber with core diameter 4.4 μm. The coupling losses simulation results of the two simulation methods finite-difference beam propagation techniques and eigenmode expansion method are compared.
Optical splitters are passive optical components, which have found applications in a wide range of telecom, sensing, medical and many other scientific areas.
Low-index contrast optical splitters (Silica-on-Silicon (SoS) based waveguide devices) feature many advantages such as low fiber coupling losses and low propagation losses. They are considered an attractive DWDM solution in the telecommunication for all optical signal processing in optical communication systems. Nowadays the steadily increasing data volume in communication networks is driven by a rapid proliferation of home-based and business computers, storage capacities, processing capabilities and the extensive availability of Internet. The challenge is to transfer high data volumes in short periods of time over high distances as lossless as possible. The task of the optical splitters in Fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) network is to split one optical signal in many identical signals bringing for example the same TV signal in different households. Of course, the more buildings can be served by one optical splitter the lower are the installation costs.
High-index contrast optical splitters (such as silicon, silicon nitride or polymer based waveguide devices) feature much smaller waveguide size compared to low index contrast splitters. Such compact devices can easily be implemented on-chip and have already been used in the development of optical sensors, devices for DNA diagnostics and for infrared spectroscopy.
We will present the latest achievements in the design of two mostly used optical splitters (MMI and Y-branch) and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, some applications of the splitters developed in the frame of various projects will be presented.
This work was carried out in the framework of the project PHOCOP (no. SK-AT-2017-0013) and NAMOPRISIN (no. SK-AT-2017-0005) from the Slovak research and development agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and SK 16/2018 and 15/2018 from OeAD-GmbH.
Interstitial photodynamic therapy (iPDT) treats malignant brain cancer cells by irradiation with low power laser light. The light is guided into the human body by diffuse emitting fibers. This study targets the light distribution of optical diffusers within the brain tissue. It was shown, that by submerging an optical diffuser into human brain phantom, its radiation profile measured in air converges towards a Gaussian distribution with increasing phantom depth. A camera method using digital averaging filters as well as an integrating sphere setup, both, smoothing the diffuser radiation profile were applied onto the evaluated diffuser.
Investigations on mechanical stability of laser machined optical fibre tips for medical application
(2019)
Light delivery is a challenging task, when it comes to medical applications. The light is guided through optical fibers from the light source towards the treatment region. In case of interstitial light application, the light has to be decoupled from the fibre and spread to the surrounding tissue. To reach larger tissue volumes, this can be either obtained by adding a scattering volume to the tip of the fibre, or by directly modifying the optical fibre itself in order to break the total reflection within the fibre core. Such modifications can be either on the fibre surface itself or internally in the fibre core. One approach to obtain the fibre structuring could be laser induced surface roughening using an ultrafast laser source. While using volume scattering as diffusor at the fibre tip is currently the gold standard for non-thermal applications (< 0.3W/cm), the decoupling of high power laser intensities for thermal treatment options is still challenging. Structuring the fibre core itself usually is related with a loss of mechanical stability. As fibre breakage and potential loss within the human body can have serious consequences, the mechanical stability is one of the quality criterion in diffuser manufacturing. Therefore, investigations about the mechanical stability of laser manufactured optical fibre diffusers are needed.
In order to evaluate the mechanical stability, a 4-point as well as a 2-point breaking test were developed. Different fibre diffusers, based on volume or surface scattering, were manufactured using fs-laser ablation techniques and its breaking strengths were investigated.
It could be shown that for surface fibre modifications, the mechanical stability reduces with increasing defect depth. The stability significantly drops when the laser ablation was performed in the thermal energy range. Volume scattering modified fibres only showed a slight reduction in stability compared to un-machined fibres.
In conclusion, internal fibre modification seems to be the most promising method to establish optical fibre diffusers, which are capable of several watts of emission power, while preserving its mechanical strength.
Abstract: ams AG is a leading provider of sensing solutions developing semiconductor sensors in a wide variety of fields, with optical sensing as one of the key competences. Since integrated photonics is a promising technology for new sensor systems, ams AG has been developing processes for fully integrated CMOS-compatible photonic components based on Si3N4. This talk will provide an overview on the processing of basic photonic building blocks and their optical properties and performance. We will also give examples for applications in the fields of optical coherence tomography and opto-chemical gas sensing. In the 1980s photonics started its way for common use in telecommunication technology, using optical fiber technologies. In recent years, also a variety of photonic sensors has been proposed and developed. One of the major drawbacks of most of these photonic devices has been the lack of integration into existing (semiconductor) production processes, so far. This integration is feasible using SiN material systems to process monolithically integrated CMOS-compatible photonic sensors in the visible and near-infrared spectrum. We will present the basic processing steps for the SiN photonic technology, the development of some critical processing steps such as SiN deposition and SiN etching as well as several photonic components (waveguides, splitters, etc.) with their optical properties. One of the applications presented relates to optical coherence tomography (OCT), a fast growing imaging technique in ophthalmology. Drawbacks of existing OCT systems are their high costs as well as their bulkiness, which prevents a wider spread use of OCT systems.
One way to overcome both cost and size issues is to integrate optical and electrical components on a single chip.
Part of this work was carried out in the framework of the projects COHESION (funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), no. 848588), OCTCHIP (funded by the EU’ Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, no. 688173), and COLODOR (M-ERA.NET transnational Call 2015, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), no.854066, and the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Germany).
We report resent results on the fabrication and characterization of carbon nanogap interdigitated electrode arrays (IDAs) for biosensor applications based on redox cycling. The electrochemical results of the carbon electrodes are compared to our fabricated gold electrodes with similar nanogap distances. The amplification factor and the collection efficiency were recorded by chronoamperometry. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was utilized to determine the oxidation and reduction potentials as well as for monitoring the electron transfer process. The different deposited carbon materials were characterized by Raman spectroscopy.At present, we successfully fabricated carbon nanogaps down to 80 nm and we are convinced to reach the present fabrication limit of about 30 nm (for gold and platinum electrodes) with carbon as electrode material as well. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first IDA nanogap sensor, which features a gap distance under 100 nm with amorphous carbon as electrode material. Moreover, we present a signal amplification of 32 for carbon electrodes by redox cycling, which is the highest reported amplification so far.
Here we present the highly sensitive detection of dopamine using gold nanogap IDAs with redox-cycling amplification. Through the combination with a facile electrochemical activation and a chronoamperometric multistep protocol fouling of the gold electrode surface can be prevented and a sensitivity of 14 nA μM -1 with excellent linearity up to 10 μM is achieved. The low-cost and reproducible wafer level fabrication process of the nanogap IDAs plays a key role. Electrode and substrate materials can be nearly arbitrarily chosen. Also the gap sizes could be adjusted down to sub-100 nm dimensions with this versatile approach, allowing for very high signal amplification. In comparison to the current gold standard, fastscan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) with carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs), which suffers from high background currents, no elaborate data processing and high-end electronic equipment is needed. Employing our flexible, easy and inexpensive method, DA monitoring with a short acquisition period and a detection limit less than 200 nM is successfully demonstrated.