Light-induced thermomagnetic recording of thin-film magnet CoFeB on silicon waveguide for on-chip magneto-optical memory.

Thermomagnetic recording is a technique used as a writing process for magneto-optical (MO) drives. Despite their significant advantages, such as rewritability, nonvolatility, reliability, and large cycling endurance, MO drives are rarely used today because of the complex drive systems that must deal with magnetic field and lightwave simultaneously. This study reports on the light-induced thermomagnetic recording of a ferromagnetic thin-film CoFeB on a Si photonic platform. Lightwave guided in the Si waveguide evanescently coupled to the thin-film magnet and underwent optical absorption, resulting in heating and a decrease in coercive force. Therefore, we observed magnetization reversal with an applied magnetic field for both continuous and modulated light pulses using a magneto-optical Kerr effect microscope, and the light-induced thermomagnetic recording was experimentally demonstrated on a Si photonic platform. The proposed scheme enables the realization of on-chip MO memories on the Si photonic platform in which neither bulky free-space optics nor mechanical rotation systems are required.

TE-mode magneto-optical isolator based on an asymmetric microring resonator under a unidirectional magnetic field.

Optical isolators are necessary components in photonic integrated circuits to ensure system stability by blocking the back-reflected light waves. In this study, a transverse electric mode magneto-optical isolator based on an asymmetric microring resonator without additional polarization rotators in series is demonstrated. Cerium-substituted yttrium iron garnet was integrated with silicon-on-insulator substrates by wafer bonding to break the Lorentz reciprocity on-chip after applying a unidirectional magnetic field. The isolator shows a 22 dB isolation ratio and a 4.3 dB insertion loss at an operation wavelength of 1572.62 nm.

Mode-evolution-based TE mode magneto-optical isolator using asymmetric adiabatic tapered waveguides.

As an indispensable component in the photonic integrated circuits, the design and fabrication of optical isolators, particularly in the transverse electric (TE) polarized mode, is a long-standing challenge. Herein, we present a TE mode magneto-optical isolator using adiabatic tapered waveguides to realize conversions between designated modes. The isolator exhibits an ultranarrow structure of 1.27 µm × 1498 µm. We demonstrate that the device functions under a TE mode input with a maximum isolation ratio of 15 dB and an insertion loss of 5 dB at a wavelength of 1537.3 nm.

Nonvolatile magneto-optical switches integrated with a magnet stripe array.

Nonvolatile optical switches are promising components for low-power photonic integrated circuits with multiple functionalities. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate magneto-optical switches integrated with a magnet array. Optical switches in both microring and Mach-Zehnder configurations are fabricated on a high-quality single-crystalline magneto-optical material Ce:YIG. The switched state is alternated by a current-induced magnetic field from an integrated electromagnet and remained without any external power supply owing to the nonvolatile magnetization of thin-film magnets. Subsequently, the arbitrary level control of optical transmission is demonstrated by changing the magnetization state of integrated thin-film magnets with a current applied in the microring gate switch, and a maximum switching ratio over 25 dB is achieved in the Mach-Zehnder switch. The latching operation is presented with a 1-µs pulsed voltage.

Low-loss waveguide optical isolator with tapered mode converter and magneto-optical phase shifter for TE mode input.

We propose and demonstrate a novel low-loss waveguide optical isolator with tapered mode converter and magneto-optical phase shifter. The principle of operation of the isolator is based on the superposition of the TE and TM modes. The two different modes become direction-dependent due to a magneto-optical phase shift affecting the TM mode. We designed a tapered mode converter in order to generate the TE and TM modes with equal amplitude when the waveguide is excited with a TE mode input. We successfully demonstrated that the fabricated device acts as an isolator showing a different transmittance between forward and backward directions. The maximum isolation measured is 16 dB at a wavelength of 1561 nm for a TE mode input.

Amorphous-Si waveguide on a garnet magneto-optical isolator with a TE mode nonreciprocal phase shift.

We fabricated a magneto-optical (MO) isolator with a TE mode nonreciprocal phase shift. The isolator is based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer composed of 3-dB directional couplers, a reciprocal phase shifter, and a nonreciprocal phase shifter. To realize TE mode operation in the optical isolator, we designed a novel waveguide structure composed of a hydrogenated amorphous silicon waveguide with an asymmetric MO garnet lateral clad on a garnet substrate. The isolator operation is successfully demonstrated in a fabricated device showing the different transmittances between forward and backward directions. The maximum isolation of the fabricated isolator is 17.9 dB at a wavelength of 1561 nm for the TE mode.

Integrated broadband Ce:YIG/Si Mach-Zehnder optical isolators with over 100 nm tuning range.

We demonstrate integrated optical isolators with broadband behavior for the standard silicon-on-insulator platform. We achieve over 20 dB of optical isolation across 18 nm of optical bandwidth. The isolator is completely electrically controlled and does not require a permanent magnet. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability to tune the central operating wavelength of the isolator across 100 nm, which covers the entire S + C telecom bands. These devices show promise for integration in optical systems in which broadband isolation is needed such as wavelength multiplexed systems or optical sensors.

Three-dimensional nanostructuring in YIG ferrite with femtosecond laser.

With the goal of creating magneto-optical devices, we demonstrated forming nanostructures inside a substrate of cerium-substituted yttrium iron garnet (Ce:YIG) by means of direct laser writing. Laser irradiation changed both the optical and magnetic properties of Ce:YIG. The measurements showed that the refractive index was increased by 0.015 (about 0.7% change) and the magnetization property was changed from hard to soft to decrease the coercivity. This technology enables the formation of 3-dimensional optical and magnetic nanostructures in YIG and will contribute to the development of novel devices for optical communication and photonic integration.

Magneto-optical non-reciprocal devices in silicon photonics.

Silicon waveguide optical non-reciprocal devices based on the magneto-optical effect are reviewed. The non-reciprocal phase shift caused by the first-order magneto-optical effect is effective in realizing optical non-reciprocal devices in silicon waveguide platforms. In a silicon-on-insulator waveguide, the low refractive index of the buried oxide layer enhances the magneto-optical phase shift, which reduces the device footprints. A surface activated direct bonding technique was developed to integrate a magneto-optical garnet crystal on the silicon waveguides. A silicon waveguide optical isolator based on the magneto-optical phase shift was demonstrated with an optical isolation of 30 dB and insertion loss of 13 dB at a wavelength of 1548 nm. Furthermore, a four port optical circulator was demonstrated with maximum isolations of 15.3 and 9.3 dB in cross and bar ports, respectively, at a wavelength of 1531 nm.

GaInAsP/InP MZI waveguide optical isolator integrated with spot size converter.

We fabricated a waveguide optical isolator with a GaInAsP guiding layer integrated with spot size converters (SSCs) for efficient coupling to optical fibers. The isolator is constructed with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), which is composed of multi-mode interference (MMI) couplers, as well as nonreciprocal and reciprocal phase shifters. The nonreciprocal phase shifter is constructed with a magneto-optical cladding layer directly bonded to a semiconductor guiding layer. The performance of the GaInAsP waveguide optical isolator was demonstrated with a maximum optical isolation of 28.3 dB at a wavelength of 1558 nm for the TM mode.

Adhesively bonded Ce:YIG/SOI integrated optical circulator.

A classical 3-port optical circulator is demonstrated on the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. A garnet die with a magneto-optical cerium-doped yttrium iron garnet (Ce:YIG) layer is bonded on top of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer circuit using a thin adhesive bonding layer. The power transmission between different ports is characterized in the presence of an external magnetic field, transversal to the light propagation direction. An isolation of 22 dB is measured at a wavelength of 1562 nm.

MZI optical isolator with Si-wire waveguides by surface-activated direct bonding.

We fabricate a Mach-Zehnder interferometer-based optical isolator using a silicon-wire waveguide with magneto-optic garnet cladding using direct bonding techniques. Using Si-wire waveguides, the size of the device is greatly reduced from that of our previous device. We investigate surface-activated direct bonding with nitrogen plasma treatment, which shows better bonding results than oxygen plasma treatment. A large magneto-optic phase shift of 0.8π and an optical isolation of 18 dB are obtained at a wavelength of 1322 nm.

Silicon ring isolators with bonded nonreciprocal magneto-optic garnets.

A ring isolator is demonstrated for the first time by directly bonding a cerium-substituted yttrium iron garnet (Ce:YIG) onto a silicon ring resonator using oxygen plasma enhanced bonding. The silicon waveguide is 600 nm wide and 295 nm thick with 500-nm-thick Ce:YIG on the top to have reasonable nonreciprocal effect and low optical loss. With a radial magnetic field applied to the ring isolator, it exhibits 9-dB isolation at resonance in the 1550 nm wavelength regime.

Single-trench waveguide TE-TM mode converter.

A TE-TM mode converter is proposed in a single trench GaInAsP/InP waveguide, which is fabricated by a single masking and etching process. Use of single-trench structure makes the design and the fabrication much simpler. The design of single-trench mode converter is described together with its fabrication in this article. We investigated the dependence of conversion efficiency on the waveguide width, trench depth, and trench position. Also, the wavelength dependence of mode conversion efficiency was calculated in a wavelength range between 1.5 microm to 1.58 microm. 95% TE-TM mode conversion was measured at a wavelength of 1.55 microm in a fabricated device with a 210-microm half-beat length.

Electron-tracking Compton camera imaging of technetium-95m.

Imaging was conducted using an electron tracking-Compton camera (ETCC), which measures γ-rays with energies in the range of 200-900 keV from 95mTc. 95mTc was produced by the 95Mo(p, n)95mTc reaction on a 95Mo-enriched target. A method for recycling 95Mo-enriched molybdenum trioxide was employed, and the recycled yield of 95Mo was 70%-90%. Images were obtained with the gate of three energies. The results showed that the spatial resolution increases with increasing γ-ray energy, and suggested that the ETCC with high-energy γ-ray emitters such as 95mTc is useful for the medical imaging of deep tissue and organs in the human body.

Ultra-wideband design of waveguide magneto-optical isolator operating in 1.31mum and 1.55mum band.

The design of an ultra-wideband waveguide magneto-optical isolator is described. The isolator is based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer employing nonreciprocal phase shift. The ultra-wideband design is realized by adjusting the wavelength dependence of reciprocal phase difference to compensate for that of nonreciprocal phase difference in the backward direction. We obtained the ultra-wideband design that provides isolation > 35dB from 1.25mum to >1.65mum. This is the proposal of magneto-optical isolator that operates both in 1.31mum band and 1.55mum band.

Wideband operation of Mach-Zehnder interferomertic magneto-optical isolator using phase adjustment.

A wideband operation of a magneto-optical isolator is demonstrated. The isolator is based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer employing nonreciprocal phase shift. The wideband operation is achieved by adjusting a reciprocal phase difference in the interferometer. We designed and fabricated a wideband isolator with a magneto-optic garnet waveguide. The isolation ratio of 15-25dB was obtained in a wavelength range from 1530nm to 1640nm.

First On-Site True Gamma-Ray Imaging-Spectroscopy of Contamination near Fukushima Plant.

We have developed an Electron Tracking Compton Camera (ETCC), which provides a well-defined Point Spread Function (PSF) by reconstructing a direction of each gamma as a point and realizes simultaneous measurement of brightness and spectrum of MeV gamma-rays for the first time. Here, we present the results of our on-site pilot gamma-imaging-spectroscopy with ETCC at three contaminated locations in the vicinity of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants in Japan in 2014. The obtained distribution of brightness (or emissivity) with remote-sensing observations is unambiguously converted into the dose distribution. We confirm that the dose distribution is consistent with the one taken by conventional mapping measurements with a dosimeter physically placed at each grid point. Furthermore, its imaging spectroscopy, boosted by Compton-edge-free spectra, reveals complex radioactive features in a quantitative manner around each individual target point in the background-dominated environment. Notably, we successfully identify a "micro hot spot" of residual caesium contamination even in an already decontaminated area. These results show that the ETCC performs exactly as the geometrical optics predicts, demonstrates its versatility in the field radiation measurement, and reveals potentials for application in many fields, including the nuclear industry, medical field, and astronomy.

Establishment of Imaging Spectroscopy of Nuclear Gamma-Rays based on Geometrical Optics.

Since the discovery of nuclear gamma-rays, its imaging has been limited to pseudo imaging, such as Compton Camera (CC) and coded mask. Pseudo imaging does not keep physical information (intensity, or brightness in Optics) along a ray, and thus is capable of no more than qualitative imaging of bright objects. To attain quantitative imaging, cameras that realize geometrical optics is essential, which would be, for nuclear MeV gammas, only possible via complete reconstruction of the Compton process. Recently we have revealed that "Electron Tracking Compton Camera" (ETCC) provides a well-defined Point Spread Function (PSF). The information of an incoming gamma is kept along a ray with the PSF and that is equivalent to geometrical optics. Here we present an imaging-spectroscopic measurement with the ETCC. Our results highlight the intrinsic difficulty with CCs in performing accurate imaging, and show that the ETCC surmounts this problem. The imaging capability also helps the ETCC suppress the noise level dramatically by ~3 orders of magnitude without a shielding structure. Furthermore, full reconstruction of Compton process with the ETCC provides spectra free of Compton edges. These results mark the first proper imaging of nuclear gammas based on the genuine geometrical optics.

Direct Wafer Bonding and Its Application to Waveguide Optical Isolators.

This paper reviews the direct bonding technique focusing on the waveguide optical isolator application. A surface activated direct bonding technique is a powerful tool to realize a tight contact between dissimilar materials. This technique has the potential advantage that dissimilar materials are bonded at low temperature, which enables one to avoid the issue associated with the difference in thermal expansion. Using this technique, a magneto-optic garnet is successfully bonded on silicon, III-V compound semiconductors and LiNbO3. As an application of this technique, waveguide optical isolators are investigated including an interferometric waveguide optical isolator and a semileaky waveguide optical isolator. The interferometric waveguide optical isolator that uses nonreciprocal phase shift is applicable to a variety of waveguide platforms. The low refractive index of buried oxide layer in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguide enhances the magneto-optic phase shift, which contributes to the size reduction of the isolator. A semileaky waveguide optical isolator has the advantage of large fabrication-tolerance as well as a wide operation wavelength range.