One‐Dimensional Dielectric/Metallic Hybrid Materials for Photonic Applications

Explorations of 1D nanostructures have led to great progress in the area of nanophotonics in the past decades. Based on either dielectric or metallic materials, a variety of 1D photonic devices have been developed, such as nanolasers, waveguides, optical switches, and routers. What's interesting is that these dielectric systems enjoy low propagation losses and usually possess active optical performance, but they have a diffraction‐limited field confinement. Alternatively, metallic systems can guide light on deep subwavelength scales, but they suffer from high metallic absorption and can work as passive devices only. Thus, the idea to construct a hybrid system that combines the merits of both dielectric and metallic materials was proposed. To date, unprecedented optical properties have been achieved in various 1D hybrid systems, which manifest great potential for functional nanophotonic devices. Here, the focus is on recent advances in 1D dielectric/metallic hybrid systems, with a special emphasis on novel structure design, rational fabrication techniques, unique performance, as well as their wide application in photonic components. Gaining a better understanding of hybrid systems would benefit the design of nanophotonic components aimed at optical information processing.     

Application of the standard coupled-mode formalism to the analysis of holey photonic crystals

Presented below is a new, Standard Coupled-mode Theory (CMT) based approach for analysis of optical characteristics of holey photonic crystals (i.e., photonic devices, built on periodicity of holes in dielectric media). This class of devices encompasses the majority of photonic crystal fibres and several kinds of modern thresholdless lasers. Naturally, holey photonic crystals were considered as a sequence of holes, surrounded by dielectric media. This model made it impossible to utilise CMT for analysing their characteristics. The underlying idea of our approach is a different physical model, considering holey photonic devices as a sequence of coupled dielectric spots (waveguides), surrounded by air. This model can be combined with the Standard Coupled-mode formalism. The latter combination allows fast (on a timescale of several minutes to tens of minutes) and accurate analysis of holey photonic devices. Moreover, it gives a deeper insight into the behaviour of EM fields in holey photonic crystals.     

Waveguide lasers based on dielectric materials

Fifty years since the invention of the laser have been witness of the development of many different laser systems and designs. Among them, miniaturized versions of solid sate lasers based on rare-earth-doped dielectric materials have been proposed and demonstrated during the last 20 years. They are based on confined radiation provided by optical waveguide structures. Although many materials and techniques have been studied for producing planar and channel waveguides, only a few of them have shown to be adequate routes for fabricating waveguide lasers. Here we summarize the theory and specific technologies developed for characterizing waveguide structures, and we present some common fabrication techniques already successfully applied to fabricate dielectric waveguide lasers, where relevant examples of demonstrated working devices are outlined.     

光子晶体传感器的研究进展

光子晶体是一类具有光子能带和带隙的新型光学材料,近年来已成为传感器技术领域的研究热点。光子晶体微腔、光子晶体波导、光子晶体光纤在传感器领域得到了广泛应用,而凝胶光子晶体、反蛋白石光子晶体、分子印迹光子晶体则实现了化学生物传感器的"裸眼检测技术"。重点分类介绍了一维、二维、三维光子晶体的制备及其在传感器领域的应用进展。     

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of hollow core photonic crystal fiber

We review the optical guidance properties of hollow-core photonic crystal fibers. We follow a historical perspective to introduce the two major optical guidance mechanisms that were identified as operating in these fibers: photonic bandgap guidance and inhibited coupling guidance. We then review the modal properties of these fibers and assess the transmission loss mechanisms in photonic bandgap guiding hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. We dedicate a section to a review of the technical basics of hollow-core photonic crystal fiber fabrication and photonic microcell assembly. We review some of the early results on the use of hollow-core photonic crystal fiber for laser guiding micro-sized particles, as well as the generation of stimulated Raman scattering, electromagnetically induced transparency and laser frequency stabilization when the fiber core is filled with a gas-phase material. We conclude this review with a non-exhaustive list of prospects where hollow-core photonic crystal fiber could play a central role.     

Extreme narrow photonic bands and strong photonic localization produced by 2D defect two-segment-connected quadrangular waveguide networks

In this paper, we investigate the properties of optical transmission and photonic localization of two-dimensional (2D) defect two-segment-connected quadrangular waveguide networks (DTSCQWNs) and find that many groups of extreme narrow photonic bands are created in the middle of the transmission spectra. The electromagnetic (EM) waves in DTSCQWNs with the frequencies of extreme narrow photonic bands can produce strong photonic localizations by adjusting defect broken degree. On the other hand, we obtain the formula of extreme narrow photonic bands’ frequencies dependent on defect broken degree and the formula of the largest intensity of photonic localization dependent on defect broken degree, respectively. It may possess potential application for designing all-optical devices based on strong photonic localizations. Additionally, we propose a so-called defecton mode to study the splitting rules of extreme narrow photonic bands, where decomposition-decimation method is expanded from the field of electronic energy spectra to that of optical transmission spectra.     

Biodegradable Laser Arrays Self-Assembled from Plant Resources

The transition toward future sustainable societies largely depends on disruptive innovations in biobased materials to substitute nonsustainable advanced functional materials. In the field of optics, advanced devices (e.g., lasers or metamaterial devices) are typically manufactured using top-down engineering and synthetic materials. This work breaks with such concepts and switchable lasers self-assembled from plant-based cellulose nanocrystals and fluorescent polymers at room temperature and from water are shown. Controlled structure formation allows laser-grade cholesteric photonic bandgap materials, in which the photonic bandgap is matched to the fluorescence emission to function as an efficient resonator for low threshold multimode lasing. The lasers can be switched on and off using humidity, and can be printed into pixelated arrays. Additionally, the materials exhibit stiffness above typical thermoplastic polymers and biodegradability in soil. The concept showcases that highly advanced functions can be encoded into biobased materials, and opens the design space for future sustainable optical devices of unprecedented function.     

Structural and optical quality of binary photonic crystal heterostructures fabricated by the modified self-assembly method

Photonic crystal heterostructures constituting of two photonic crystals with different lattice constants are fabricated using the modified self-assembly method and their structural and optical properties are investigated. The results show that these photonic crystal heterostructures of high quality possess deep photonic band gaps and steep photonic band edges in their transmission spectra. Deep double photonic band gaps, steep photonic band edges and high transmittance in the pass band show good ordering of the heterostructure and may offer a probability for studying late-model ultra-fast all-optical switches.     

General conditions of polarization-independent transmissions in one-dimensional magnetic photonic crystals

Abstract

Based on the transfer matrix theory, general conditions of polarization-independent transmissions in one-dimensional photonic crystals are derived. It is shown that the polarization-independent transmissions are obtained in photonic crystals consisting of two alternating layers with the same refraction index and optical thickness as well as the mutually reciprocal wave impedance. By using two different photonic crystals satisfying the above relation to constitute the light quantum-well structures, the structures have polarization-independent transmission properties. When a defective layer with wave impedance of 1 is introduced in the photonic crystals, the defective photonic crystals also have the polarization-independent transmission properties. In addition, polarization-independent low-pass spatial filters are achieved based on these photonic crystal structures.     

Configurable Integration of On‐Chip Quantum Dot Lasers and Subwavelength Plasmonic Waveguides

The integration of on‐chip dielectric lasers and subwavelength plasmonic waveguides has attracted enormous attention because of the combination of both the advantages of the high performances of the small dielectric lasers and the subwavelength plasmonic waveguides. However, the configurable integration is still a challenge owing to the complexity of the hybrid structures and the damageability of the gain media in the multistep micro/nanofabrications. By employing the dark‐field optical imaging technique with a position uncertainty of about 21 nm and combining the high‐resolution electron beam lithography, the small colloidal quantum dot (CQD) lasers without any damages are accurately aligned with the silver nanowires. As a result, the integration of the CQD lasers and the silver nanowires can be flexibly configured on chips. In the experiment, the tangential coupling, radial coupling, and complex coupling between the high‐performance CQD lasers and the subwavelength silver nanowires are demonstrated. Because of the subwavelength field confinements of the silver nanowires, the deep‐subwavelength coherent sources (multimode, one‐color single‐mode, or two‐color single‐mode) with a mode area of only 0.008λ² are output from these hybrid structures. This configurable on‐chip integration with high flexibility and controllability will greatly facilitate the developments of the complex functional hybrid photonic–plasmonic circuits.     

Electron‐Beam‐Driven III‐Nitride Plasmonic Nanolasers in the Deep‐UV and Visible Region

Plasmonic nanolasers based on wide bandgap semiconductors are presently attracting immense research interests due to the breaking in light diffraction limit and subwavelength mode operation with fast dynamics. However, these plasmonic nanolasers have so far been mostly realized in the visible light ranges, or most are still under optical excitation pumping. In this work, III‐nitride‐based plasmonic nanolasers emitting from the green to the deep‐ultraviolet (UV) region by energetic electron beam injection are reported, and a threshold as low as 8 kW cm^?2 is achieved. A fast decay time as short as 123 ps is collected, indicating a strong coupling between excitons and surface plasmon. Both the spatial and temporal coherences are observed, which provide a solid evidence for exciton‐plasmon coupled polariton lasing. Consequently, the achievements in III‐nitride‐based plasmonic nanolaser devices represent a significant step toward practical applications for biological technology, computing systems, and on‐chip optical communication.     

Metallosupramolecular Photonic Elastomers with Self‐Healing Capability and Angle‐Independent Color

Photonic elastomers that can change colors like a chameleon have shown great promise in various applications. However, it still remains a challenge to produce artificial photonic elastomers with desired optical and mechanical properties. Here, the generation of metallosupramolecular polymer‐based photonic elastomers with tunable mechanical strength, angle‐independent structural color, and self‐healing capability is reported. The photonic elastomers are prepared by incorporating isotropically arranged monodispersed SiO₂ nanoparticles within a supramolecular elastomeric matrix based on metal coordination interaction between amino‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) and cerium trichloride. The photonic elastomers exhibit angle‐independent structural colors, while Young's modulus and elongation at break of the as‐formed photonic elastomers reach 0.24 MPa and 150%, respectively. The superior elasticity of photonic elastomers enables their chameleon‐skin‐like mechanochromic capability. Moreover, the photonic elastomers are capable of healing scratches or cuts to ensure sustainable optical and mechanical properties, which is crucial to their applications in wearable devices, optical coating, and visualized force sensing.     

Layered PtSe2 for Sensing,Photonic, and (Opto‐)Electronic Applications

Since the first experimental discovery of graphene 16 years ago, many other 2D layered nanomaterials have been reported. However, the majority of 2D nanostructures suffer from relatively complicated fabrication processes that have bottlenecked their development and their uptake by industry for practical applications. Here, the recent progress in sensing, photonic, and (opto‐)electronic applications of PtSe₂, a 2D layered material that is likely to be used in industries benefiting from its high air‐stability and semiconductor‐technology‐compatible fabrication methods, is reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of a range of synthesis methods for PtSe₂ are initially compared, followed by a discussion of its outstanding properties, and industrial and commercial advantages. Research focused on the broadband nonlinear photonic properties of PtSe₂, as well as reports of its use as a saturable absorber in ultrafast lasers, are then reviewed. Additionally, the advances that have been achieved in a range of PtSe₂‐based field‐effect transistors, photodetectors, and sensors are summarized. Finally, a conclusion on these results along with the outlook for the future is presented.     

Recent Advances of Spatial Self‐Phase Modulation in 2D Materials and Passive Photonic Device Applications

Optical nonlinearity in 2D materials excited by spatial Gaussian laser beam is a novel and peculiar optical phenomenon, which exhibits many novel and interesting applications in optical nonlinear devices. Passive photonic devices, such as optical switches, optical logical gates, photonic diodes, and optical modulators, are the key compositions in the future all‐optical signal‐processing technologies. Passive photonic devices using 2D materials to achieve the device functionality have attracted widespread concern in the past decade. In this Review, an overview of the spatial self‐phase modulation (SSPM) in 2D materials is summarized, including the operating mechanism, optical parameter measurement, and tuning for 2D materials, and applications in photonic devices. Moreover, some current challenges are also proposed to solve, and some possible applications of SSPM method are predicted for the future. Therefore, it is anticipated that this summary can contribute to the application of 2D material‐based spatial effect in all‐optical signal‐processing technologies.     

Planar waveguide photonic crystals as an alternative for refractive index optical sensors design: theoretical evaluation

In this paper, the possibilities of designing refraction index optical sensors in planar waveguide photonic crystals are demonstrated for the first time. Photonic crystals obtained by connecting in cascade planar optical waveguides with high index contrast are analyzed. Photonic band gaps (PBGs) and photonic windows (PWs) were obtained. If a local defect is introduced in the PBG structure, the optical path length is modified and on states can be created in the gap. Besides, the on states wavelengths can be tuned if the optical path of the defect is modified: changing the physical length and/or the refraction index of the defect. In this way, planar waveguide photonic crystals could be used for sensing applications when a specimen modifies the refraction index lattice site. Sensing properties of planar waveguide photonic crystals, with one, two and three sensing channels, are demonstrated.     

Device‐Level Photonic Memories and Logic Applications Using Phase‐Change Materials

Inspired by the great success of fiber optics in ultrafast data transmission, photonic computing is being extensively studied as an alternative to replace or hybridize electronic computers, which are reaching speed and bandwidth limitations. Mimicking and implementing basic computing elements on photonic devices is a first and essential step toward all‐optical computers. Here, an optical pulse‐width modulation (PWM) switching of phase‐change materials on an integrated waveguide is developed, which allows practical implementation of photonic memories and logic devices. It is established that PWM with low peak power is very effective for recrystallization of phase‐change materials, in terms of both energy efficiency and process control. Using this understanding, multilevel photonic memories with complete random accessibility are then implemented. Finally, programmable optical logic devices are demonstrated conceptually and experimentally, with logic “OR” and “NAND” achieved on just a single integrated photonic phase‐change cell. This study provides a practical and elegant technique to optically program photonic phase‐change devices for computing applications.     

Photonic crystals,amorphous materials,and quasicrystals

Photonic crystals consist of artificial periodic structures of dielectrics, which have attracted much attention because of their wide range of potential applications in the field of optics. We may also fabricate artificial amorphous or quasicrystalline structures of dielectrics, i.e. photonic amorphous materials or photonic quasicrystals. So far, both theoretical and experimental studies have been conducted to reveal the characteristic features of their optical properties, as compared with those of conventional photonic crystals. In this article, we review these studies and discuss various aspects of photonic amorphous materials and photonic quasicrystals, including photonic band gap formation, light propagation properties, and characteristic photonic states.     

三维有序纳米光子晶体的缺陷及其形成机理

通过纳米小球自组装的方法制备获得了三维有序结构的聚苯乙烯（PS）蛋白石光子晶体.利用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）对蛋白石光子晶体的微观形貌进行表征,并利用透射光谱对蛋白石进行光学表征.结果表明,胶体自组装能够形成点缺陷、等边三角线缺陷和等边立方体缺陷,通过对最低能量和机理的探讨,得出导致这些缺陷形成的原因是折射率差异和光子带隙（PBG）位置的蓝移.     

Optical properties of graphene based annular photonic crystals

The optical properties of a graphene based annular photonic crystal (APC) are theoretically investigated. The proposed structure is a hollow core cylindrical shell consists of the alternate dielectric layer and graphene monolayer immersed in free space. In order to study the photonic band structures of the APC, we obtained the optical spectra of the graphene based APC by employing the transfer matrix method in the cylindrical waves for both TE and TM polarizations. In this work we study the effect of different geometrical and optical parameters of the structure on the low loss high reflectance graphene induced band gap. It is found that the graphene induced band gap which appeared in the frequency below 10 THz is polarization independent and remains almost invariant with the change in the period number, the radius of the inner core region and the refractive indices of the inner core region and the surrounding medium. However, its width increases by increasing the azimuthal mode number and the chemical potential of the graphene monolayers and decreases by increasing the refractive index and the thickness of the dielectric layers.     

Polarisation behaviour of diode lasers with frequency selective feedback

The paper reviews recent results obtained with diode lasers used in external hybrid cavities with frequency selective feedback. Such cavities attract continuing interest for several reasons. They generate a tunable single laser mode with very low linewidths (usually a few tens of kilohertz). Very wide discrete tunable ranges over 100 nm for Fabry-Perot type and over 200 nm for quantum well lasers are achieved. They can be made to oscillate in a tunable mode having the desired polarization state,TE orTM and, in some cases, simultaneously atTE andTM. This is done by designing a cavity that increases strongly theTM/TE intensity ratio and by using coatings on one laser facet that greatly lower bothTE andTM reflectivities. High-speed polarization switching in the gigahertz range is possible by inserting passive or active polarization selecting elements in the cavity. For all these reasons hybrid external cavities are attractive for applications in optical metrology, spectroscopy and optical communications. Moreover, the external cavity configuration allows the study of physical mechanisms in the laser diode by inducing on purpose phenomena that would have been otherwise impossible to achieve with free-running lasers.