Complex modulation using tandem polarization modulators

A novel photonic technique for implementing frequency up-conversion or complex modulation is proposed. The proposed circuit consists of a sandwich of a quarter-wave plate between two polarization modulators, driven, respectively, by an in-phase and quadrature-phase signals. The operation of the circuit is modelled using a transmission matrix method. The theoretical prediction is then validated by simulation using an industry-standard software tool. The intrinsic conversion efficiency of the architecture is improved by 6 dB over a functionally equivalent design based on dual parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators. Non-ideal scenarios such as imperfect alignment of the optical components and power imbalances and phase errors in the electric drive signals are also analysed. As light travels, along one physical path, the proposed design can be implemented using discrete components with greater control of relative optical path length differences. The circuit can further be integrated in any material platform that offers electro-optic polarization modulators.     

Novel approach for design of low index contrast multimode interference devices

Self-imaging theory is widely accepted as a good method in designing multimode interference (MMI) couplers, but it is also true that self-imaging theory is not suitable for low-contrast structures. An improved self-imaging theory is proposed in this paper for the optimal design of low-contrast 1 × N MMI couplers. The average effective width of the MMI waveguide and the average effective propagation constant of the MMI waveguide are used in the improved self-imaging theory. An approach is given to find the average effective width. We use this approach in the optimal design of a 1?×?4 silica MMI coupler, and the results show that the improved self-imaging theory is more accurate than conventional self-imaging theory for low-contrast structures.     

All optical active high decoder using integrated 2D square lattice photonic crystals

The paper introduces a novel all optical active high 2 × 4 decoder based on 2D photonic crystals (PhC) of silicon rods with permittivity of ε = 10.1 × 10^?11 farad/m. The main structure of optical decoder is designed using a combination of five nonlinear photonic crystal ring resonator, set of T-type waveguide, and line defect of Y and T branch splitters. The proposed structure has two logic input ports, four output ports, and one bias input port. The total size of the proposed 2 × 4 decoder is equal to 40 μm × 38 μm. The PhC structure has a square lattice of silicon rod with refractive index of 3.39 in air. The overall design and the results are discussed through the realization and the numerically simulation to confirm its operation and feasibility.     

Tunable ultracompact electro-optical photonic crystal ring resonator

A tunable ultracompact electro-optical photonic crystal ring resonator with high transmission is reported. The photonic crystal ring resonator is obtained by removing a ring shape of cylinders from a square lattice of dielectric cylinders in air. The transmission spectra of this ring resonator have been investigated by using the finite-difference time-domain technique. The general characteristics of the ring elements to achieve resonant tunneling are determined. By modulating the conductibility of the inner cylinders in the ring resonator, the electrical tunability of the resonant modes is observed in the transmission spectrum. The research results should open opportunities for this ring resonator as ultracompact filters, optical add-drop multiplexers, electro-optical N × N switches, and modulators.     

Design of an ultrashort Si-nanowaveguide-based multimode interference coupler of arbitrary shape

A design procedure for an arbitrarily tapered multimode interference (MMI) coupler based on Si nanowaveguides is presented. First a series of the effective indices of the zeroth and first eigenmodes in multimode waveguides are obtained as the core width increases by using a full-vectorial finite-difference method. Two polynomial functions are used to fit the two relations between the effective indices and the core width. The phase difference Delta phi between the zeroth and first eigenmodes can then be easily calculated when the light goes through any given arbitrarily tapered MMI section. By making the phase difference Delta phi equal to a certain value Delta phi 0 required for an N-fold self-imaging, the length of a MMI coupler is determined. With the present design procedure, an ultrashort 2 x 2 parabolic MMI coupler is designed as an example. The size of the designed ultrashort MMI section is only approximately 1.4 microm x 4.7 microm.     

Efficient reverse converter design for the new four-moduli set {22n, 2n + 1, 2n/2 + 1, 2n/2 – 1}

Abstract

This paper presents a new four-moduli set {2²ⁿ, 2ⁿ + 1, 2^n/2 + 1, 2^n/2 – 1} (n even). According to new Chinese remainder theorem 1, an efficient algorithm is derived for converting four residue numbers to binary. Then, the converter architecture is designed using shorter bit-width carry propagate adders to improve the hardware performance considerably. Compared with existing converters for related four-moduli sets, the proposed converter shows higher speed and lower power consumption. The proposed converter design with 64-bit width has been implemented on the basis of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 90-nm CMOS process. The chip area is 1622 × 1657 μm², and the working frequency is 116 MHz. The experimental results show that the proposed design achieves more than 26.9 and 18.4% savings in delay and power consumption, respectively. The converter also saves at least 39% in AD² (area × delay²).     

Reconfigurable lens with an electro-optical learning system

An electro-optical system is proposed to control a reconfigurable lens that is a combination of a physical lens and a two-dimensional liquid-crystal phase modulator. The functions of an imaging system employing the reconfigurable lens can be controlled by a change in the phase distribution of the modulator. A computer changes the phase distribution and evaluates the image of an optical system. This process is iteratively performed on the basis of the simulated-annealing algorithm to optimize the phase distribution. We demonstrate control of a point-spread function and the correction of imaging properties degraded by defocusing or phase objects. The corrected imaging properties are even better than the original ones.     

Latest developments in GaN-based quantum devices for infrared optoelectronics

In this work, we summarize the latest progress in intersubband devices based on GaN/AlN nanostructures for operation in the near-infrared. We first discuss the growth and characterization of ultra-thin GaN/AlN quantum well and quantum dot superlattices by plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. Then, we present the performance of nitride-based infrared photodetectors and electro-optical modulators operating at 1.55 μm. Finally, we discuss the progress towards intersubband light emitters, including the first experimental observation of intersubband photoluminescence in nitride nanostructures.     

A single-mode highly birefringent dispersion-compensating photonic crystal fiber using hybrid cladding

Based on the hybrid cladding design, a single-mode photonic crystal fibre (PCF) is proposed to achieve an ultra-high birefringence and large negative dispersion coefficient using finite-element method. Simulation results reveal that with optimal design parameters, it is possible to achieve an ultra-high birefringence of 2.64 × 10^?2 at the excitation wavelength of 1.55 μm. The designed structure also shows large dispersion coefficient about ?242.22 to ?762.6 ps/nm/km over the wavelength ranging from 1.30 to 1.65 μm. Moreover, residual dispersion, effective dispersion, effective area, confinement loss and nonlinear coefficient of the proposed PCF are discussed thoroughly.     

Evidence of low-symmetry phases in pressure-dependent Raman spectroscopic study of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

In the earlier pressure-dependent Raman spectroscopic studies, it has been reported that BaTiO₃ undergoes a tetragonal to cubic phase transition above ~ 2 GPa, whereas pressure-dependent X-ray absorption, X-ray diffuse scattering studies and pair distribution function studies have reported the presence of a low-symmetry rhombohedral phase above ~ 2.3 GPa. In this report, we present our pressure-dependent Raman spectroscopic studies on polycrystalline BaTiO₃ which shows that it first undergoes a transition from tetragonal to orthorhombic/rhombohedral phase above ~ 2.6 GPa and then finally goes to the cubic phase above 8.4 GPa. Pressure-dependent synchrotron X-ray diffraction (SXRD) studies have also been carried out that provided rate of change of volume as a function of pressure resulting in bulk modulus of 215 ± 9 GPa.     

Effect of sputtering power and annealing temperature on the properties of indium tin oxide thin films prepared from radio frequency sputtering using powder target

Indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films were deposited on quartz substrates by radio frequency (RF) sputtering with different RF power (100–250 W) using the powder target at room temperature. The effect of sputtering power on their structural, electrical and optical properties was systematically investigated. The intensity of (400) orientation clearly increases with the sputtering power increases, although the films have (222) preferred orientation. Increasing sputtering power is benefit for lower resistivity and transmittance. The films were annealed at different temperature (500–800 °C), then we explored the relationship between their electro-optical and structural properties and temperature. It has been observed that the annealed films tend to have (400) orientation and then show the lower resistivity and transmittance. The ITO thin film prepared by RF sputtering using powder target at 700 °C annealing temperature and 200 W sputtering power has the resistivity of 2.08 × 10^?4 Ω cm and the transmittance of 83.2 %, which specializes for the transparent conductive layers.     

Preparation of the LTCC composite ceramics with low permittivity

In this work, the LTCC composite ceramics containing ??-alumina and quartz based on the binary system BaO?CB₂O₃ were prepared by traditional solid-state preparation process at a sintering temperature of 900 °C. Sintering mechanism and physical properties of the LTCC composite ceramics are investigated and discussed in detail in terms of their mineral phase composition. The results indicate that, by the chemical combination of barium hydroxide octahydrate and an aqueous solution of boric acid, a barium borate phase can be formed form the binary system BaO?CB₂O₃ and consequently supply a liquid sintering aid for the fabrication of LTCC composite ceramics at a sintering temperature of 900 °C. The introduction of ??-alumina to the binary system BaO?CB₂O₃ can improve the sintering behavior whereas the presence of quartz in the composite ceramics is important to achieve low permittivity. By the combination of ??-alumina, quartz and BaO?CB₂O₃ composition, the dense LTCC composite ceramics, which is characterized by excellent dielectric properties (permittivity: 3.56; 4.83; dielectric loss: 3 × 10^?4; 4 × 10^?4), can be fabricated availably.     

Microwave dielectric properties of Li2MgTi3O8 ceramics produced by reaction-sintering method

Li₂MgTi₃O₈ ceramics were prepared by reaction-sintering method (free calcination) for the first time and its microwave dielectric properties were investigated. A single phase of Li₂MgTi₃O₈ ceramic was confirmed by XRD pattern. The variation of microstructures was analyzed by SEM. With increasing sintering temperature, the bulk density decreased, the ε_r and Q × f increased firstly and then decreased, while the τ_f changed slightly and remained around 1.5 ppm/ °C. In particular, Li₂MgTi₃O₈ ceramics sintered by reaction-sintering method at 1100 °C for 5 h exhibited fine combination microwave dielectric properties of ε_r = 23.0, Q × f = 54 052 GHz (at 7.29 GHz) and τ_f = 1.5 ppm/ °C.     

An optical millimeter-wave generation scheme based on two parallel dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators and polarization multiplexing

A novel filterless optical millimeter-wave signal generation scheme is proposed. In the scheme, the undesired sidebands are suppressed using two parallel dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulators (MZMs) with different modulation indexes and polarization multiplexing, and frequency multiplication factor as high as 16 can be achieved. Simulation results show that 80, 120, and 160 GHz signals are generated through a 10 GHz RF signal using the proposed method, and the performance of the generated signals is good when commercially available MZMs with extinction ratio of 20–30 dB are used. The scheme has large tunability of modulation index for frequency octupling and 12-tupling signals generation and high stability against the RF driving voltage deviation for frequency 16-tupling generation.     

Laser Ablation Process Competency to Fabricate Microchannels in Titanium Alloy

Laser ablation is one of the competent machining processes to fabricate microfeatures in variety of engineering materials. This study has been progressed to evaluate the process capability of generating microchannels of various sizes (50 × 50 µm, 100 × 100 µm, 200 × 100 µm, and 1000 × 500 µm) in titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) using Nd:YAG laser. Channel's top width, bottom width, depth, and taperness are examined as the four process responses against three laser based parameters to the naming of laser intensity, repetition rate, and scan speed. All the geometrical dimensions are measured through photographic snapshots of SEM of each fabricated channel. The results reveal that the selection of channel size is critical to achieve the desired machining geometries. Wider sized channels (such as 200 × 100 and 500 × 1000 µm) are experienced as more flexible to be generated than narrower sized channels (50 × 50 and 100 × 100 µm). The precise parametric combination is the key to realize more tight dimensional enormities with respect to the targeted machining elements. The most appropriate parametric combinations that can generate the respectable results are explored and applied for machining of different channel sizes.     

Novelties of low energy microwave-irradiated tri-liquid phase transfer catalysis (MILLL-PTC): halo-exchange of benzyl chloride with sodium bromide

In situ halogen exchange is witnessed in many organic reactions before the actual species participates in the main reaction. The aim of this work is to analyse the synergistic effect of microwave irradiation on tri-liquid phase transfer catalysed halo-exchange reaction between sodium bromide and benzyl chloride (BnCl) with tetra-butyl ammonium bromide as a catalyst. There is a process intensification leading to savings on reactor volume and processing costs. There is also waste minimisation since the catalyst phase is reused. The effects of various parameters such as mass transfer resistance, catalyst loading, mole ratio, temperature and reusability of third catalyst phase have been studied to provide an insight into the mechanism and kinetics of the reaction. A kinetic model has been developed and validated against the experimental data. The overall order of reaction is first order in BnCl. The values of apparent energy of activation and frequency factor were 23.0 kcal/mol and 1.03 × 10¹² kmol/(m³ s), respectively, for microwave irradiation and 20.19 kcal/mol and 1.27 × 10¹⁰ kmol/(m³ s), respectively, for conventional heating.     

A 2×2 multimode interference coupler with exponentially tapered waveguide

An exponentially tapered structure is introduced into multimode interference (MMI) devices. Compared with a parabolically tapered structure, which has been successfully used in MMI devices, this structure can further reduce the length of these devices. The performances of the 2×2 MMI coupler with exponentially tapered structure, such as the optical transmission, the splitting ratio, the wavelength response and the fabrication tolerance, are investigated by the 2D finite difference beam propagation method. Results show that the exponentially tapered MMI coupler exhibits a similar property to that with a parabolically tapered structure except for the splitting ratio. The exponentially tapered structure can offer a possible application in MMI couplers with a free choice of the splitting ratio.     

A high capacity data centre network: simultaneous 4-PAM data at 20 Gbps and 2 GHz phase modulated RF clock signal over a single VCSEL carrier

Optical fibre communication technologies are playing important roles in data centre networks (DCNs). Techniques for increasing capacity and flexibility for the inter-rack/pod communications in data centres have drawn remarkable attention in recent years. In this work, we propose a low complexity, reliable, alternative technique for increasing DCN capacity and flexibility through multi-signal modulation onto a single mode VCSEL carrier. A 20 Gbps 4-PAM data signal is directly modulated on a single mode 10 GHz bandwidth VCSEL carrier at 1310 nm, therefore, doubling the network bit rate. Carrier spectral efficiency is further maximized by modulating its phase attribute with a 2 GHz reference frequency (RF) clock signal. We, therefore, simultaneously transmit a 20 Gbps 4-PAM data signal and a phase modulated 2 GHz RF signal using a single mode 10 GHz bandwidth VCSEL carrier. It is the first time a single mode 10 GHz bandwidth VCSEL carrier is reported to simultaneously transmit a directly modulated 4-PAM data signal and a phase modulated RF clock signal. A receiver sensitivity of ?10. 52 dBm was attained for a 20 Gbps 4-PAM VCSEL transmission. The 2 GHz phase modulated RF clock signal introduced a power budget penalty of 0.21 dB. Simultaneous distribution of both data and timing signals over shared infrastructure significantly increases the aggregated data rate at different optical network units within the DCN, without expensive optics investment. We further demonstrate on the design of a software-defined digital signal processing assisted receiver to efficiently recover the transmitted signal without employing costly receiver hardware.     

All-optical digital 4 × 2 encoder based on 2D photonic crystal ring resonators

The photonic crystals draw significant attention to build all-optical logic devices and are considered one of the solutions for the opto-electronic bottleneck via speed and size. The paper presents a novel optical 4 × 2 encoder based on 2D square lattice photonic crystals of silicon rods. The main realization of optical encoder is based on the photonic crystal ring resonator NOR gates. The proposed structure has four logic input ports, two output ports, and two bias input port. The photonic crystal structure has a square lattice of silicon rods with a refractive index of 3.39 in air. The structure has lattice constant ‘a’ equal to 630 nm and bandgap range from 0.32 to 044. The total size of the proposed 4 × 2 encoder is equal to 35 μm × 35 μm. The simulation results using the dimensional finite difference time domain and Plane Wave Expansion methods confirm the operation and the feasibility of the proposed optical encoder for ultrafast optical digital circuits.     

Effects of borosilicate glass additions on microstructures and magnetic properties of low temperature co-fired NiCuZn ferrites

The low temperature co-fired NiCuZn ferrites with different borosilicate glass additions are prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method. It is found that borosilicate glass additions can enhance densification of specimens based on liquid phase sintering and grain growth promotion. Small amount of borosilicate glass additions do not have a significant effect on forming into the main phase. But too much glass additions will damage the magnetic properties. As the borosilicate glass additions increase from 0 to 0.1 wt%, the permeability measured at 100 kHz decreases from 664 to 555, while the permeability values decrease rapidly from 310 to 169 with the glass additions rising from 0.3 to 0.9 wt%. The 0.1 wt% borosilicate glass can enhance the resistivity from 4.07 × 10¹⁰ Ω cm to 9.81 × 10¹⁰ Ω cm, while 0.9 wt% borosilicate glass addition leads to inhomogeneous grains and intragranular pores, resulting in deterioration of the resistivity to only 1.4 × 10¹⁰ Ω cm.