Sputtered hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin films for distributed Bragg reflectors and long wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting lasers applications

In this work, we report a study of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-SiH) films deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering for application in Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSEL) elaboration. The influence of the hydrogen dilution in the plasma during the deposition on the optical and surface properties is investigated. After selection of the deposition parameters, a-SiH films have been combined with amorphous silicon nitride (a-SiN_x) films to provide high reflectivity Bragg reflectors. Distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) based on these quarter wavelength thick dielectric layers have been realized and characterized by optical measurements and compared with theoretical calculations based on the transfer matrix method. A maximum reflectivity of 99.2% at 1.6 μm and a large spectral bandwidth of 700 nm have been reached with only four and a half periods of a-SiH/a-SiN_x deposited on a glass substrate. Residual absorption at 1.55 μm has been measured to be as low as 60 cm⁻¹ with a-SiH layers, compared with 400 cm⁻¹ loss with amorphous silicon without hydrogenation step. Finally, DBR comprising six a-SiH/a-SiN_x periods have been included in an InP-based VCSEL. Laser emission is demonstrated at room temperature in continuous wave operation with a photopumping experiment.     

FSS 天线罩的RCS 测量与分析*

FSS在天线RCS减缩方面起了重要作用。针对一种锥形的带通FSS天线罩,设计了RCS测量载体,为了凸显FSS天线罩的透波特性和低于通带处的带外隐身性能,用双面角反射器模拟天线舱内天线系统产生的强散射,对FSS天线罩的传输特性和RCS性能进行了测量。结果表明,FSS天线罩在通带内有较好的透波特性,通带内的频点f0处RCS与测量载体的RCS曲线有相似形状,呈现出介质罩的透波特性。FSS天线罩在低于通带频点f1处透波特性衰减至约-15d B,通过统计鼻锥前向-60°~+60°范围内的RCS均值,FSS天线罩的RCS与载体相比较,RCS减缩均值达到-20d B左右,具有明显的减缩效果。     

一种利用反射电极偏压的半反半透LCD

介绍了一种VA模式反射电极偏压的常黑单盒厚半反半透LCD。在透射区,形成连续且均匀的贯穿液晶层的电场;而在反射区,电场则主要由电极表面形状控制。由此,可使透射区的位相延迟约是反射区的2倍。这样一种半反半透LCD不论透射区还是反射区都有很高的光透过率(>90%),同时二者灰阶特性重合度也很好。     

Embedded Metal Oxide Plasmonics Using Local Plasma Oxidation of AZO for Planar Metasurfaces

New methods for achieving high-quality conducting oxide metasurfaces are of great importance for a range of emerging applications from infrared thermal control coatings to epsilon-near-zero nonlinear optics. This work demonstrates the viability of plasma patterning as a technique to selectively and locally modulate the carrier density in planar Al-doped ZnO (AZO) metasurfaces without any associated topographical surface profile. This technique stands in strong contrast to conventional physical patterning which results in nonplanar textured surfaces. The approach can open up a new route to form novel photonic devices with planar metasurfaces, for example, antireflective coatings and multi-layer devices. To demonstrate the performance of the carrier-modulated AZO metasurfaces, two types of devices are realized using the demonstrated plasma patterning. A metasurface optical solar reflector is shown to produce infrared emissivity equivalent to a conventional etched design. Second, a multiband metasurface is achieved by integrating a Au visible-range metasurface on top of the planar AZO infrared metasurface. Independent control of spectral bands without significant cross-talk between infrared and visible functionalities is achieved. Local carrier tuning of conducting oxide films offers a conceptually new approach for oxide-based photonics and nanoelectronics and opens up new routes for integrated planar metasurfaces in optical technology.     

Fully Solution‐Processed Photonic Structures from Inorganic/Organic Molecular Hybrid Materials and Commodity Polymers

Managing the interference effects from thin (multi‐)layers allows for the control of the optical transmittance/reflectance of widely used and technologically significant structures such as antireflection coatings (ARCs) and distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs). These rely on the destructive/constructive interference between incident, reflected, and transmitted radiation. While known for over a century and having been extremely well investigated, the emergence of printable and large‐area electronics brings a new emphasis: the development of materials capable of transferring well‐established ideas to a solution‐based production. Here, demonstrated is the solution‐fabrication of ARCs and DBRs utilizing alternating layers of commodity plastics and recently developed organic/inorganic hybrid materials comprised of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAl), cross‐linked with titanium oxide hydrates. Dip‐coated ARCs exhibit an 88% reduction in reflectance across the visible compared to uncoated glass, and fully solution‐coated DBRs provide a reflection of >99% across a 100 nm spectral band in the visible region. Detailed comparisons with transfermatrix methods (TMM) highlight their excellent optical quality including extremely low optical losses. Beneficially, when exposed to elevated temperatures, the hybrid material can display a notable, reproducible, and irreversible change in refractive index and film thickness while maintaining excellent optical performance allowing postdeposition tuning, e.g., for thermo‐responsive applications, including security features and product‐storage environment monitoring.     

Kirigami/Origami‐Based Soft Deployable Reflector for Optical Beam Steering

The beam steering mechanism has been a key element for various applications ranging from sensing and imaging to solar tracking systems. However, conventional beam steering systems are bulky and complex and present significant challenges for scaling up. This work introduces the use of soft deployable reflectors combining a soft deployable structure with simple kirigami/origami reflective films. This structure can be used as a macroscale beam steering mechanism that is both simple and compact. This work first develops a soft deployable structure that is easily scalable by patterning of soft linear actuators. This soft deployable structure is capable of increasing its height several folds by expanding in a continuous and controllable manner, which can be used as a frame to deform the linearly stretchable kirigami/origami structures integrated into the structure. Experiments on the reflective capability of the reflectors are conducted and show a good fit to the modeling results. The proposed principles for deployment and for beam steering can be used to realize novel active beam steering devices, highlighting the use of soft robotic principles to produce scalable morphing structures.     

垂直腔面发射激光器的氧化工艺研究

在垂直腔面发射激光器(VCSEL)中常用氧化物限制结构来对其进行电流和光场的限制.分别从氧化时间、氧化温度、氧化载气的气流量三方面讨论研究了它们对Al0.98Ga0.02As层氧化深度、氧化速率的影响.最后得到最佳氧化条件:氧化温度为422℃,氧化载气的气体流量为1.5 L/min,氧化速率为0.6μm/min.用在此最佳氧化条件下氧化的外延片制成VCSEL器件,室温下其阈值电流大约为1.8 mA,最大输出功率为7.96 mW.     

Broadband parametric amplification in Bragg reflection waveguide

A novel scheme for enhancing the bandwidth of optical parametric amplification using asymmetric Bragg reflection waveguides is presented. The unique dispersion characteristics exhibited by the Bragg reflection waveguides are exploited for countering the rapidly falling signal gain as one moves away from the phase-matching wavelength. The role of the periodic cladding on the gain and bandwidth of optical parametric amplification in a lithium niobate based Bragg reflection waveguide is analysed. Such an idea could be used in any nonlinear up conversion or down conversion process for enhancing the bandwidth significantly and for easing fabrication tolerances.     

Optimization of Grooved Thermal Moderator for Pulsed Neutron Source,and Its Characteristics

A grooved moderator having grooves on the neutron emanating surface of the moderator has been proposed for the purpose of increasing the neutron intensity of the pulsed neutron source. Experimental studies on polyethylene grooved moderators are performed, and the effects of the groove, the optimum dimensions and the influence of the reflector on the optimum condition are examined with a view to enhancing the emanating thermal neutron intensity. The pulse shapes of emanating neutrons are also measured and the figures of merit of the grooved moderator are discussed.

The experimental results reveal that the optimum condition is determined by the balance of increase of intensity from the grooves and the decrease from the fins. The optimum dimensions for the moderator with a graphite reflector are as follows. The fin width is less than 1 cm, the fin length 8~10 cm and the fin area about 60% of the emanating surface. These values does not depend strongly on whether the moderator is covered by the reflector or not. This size of grooved moderator increases the emanating neutron intensity by about twice at the neutron energy of 25 meV, as compared with the rectangular shaped moderator of 5 cm thick, although it broadens the pulse width considerably. Analysis of the figures of merit suggests that although the grooved moderator is not useful for the usual neutron scattering experiments, it may be of value in experiments having a resolution which is not. very sensitive to the pulse width.