Phase steps and resonator detuning measurements in microresonator frequency combs.

Experiments and theoretical modelling yielded significant progress toward understanding of Kerr-effect induced optical frequency comb generation in microresonators. However, the simultaneous Kerr-mediated interaction of hundreds or thousands of optical comb frequencies with the same number of resonator modes leads to complicated nonlinear dynamics that are far from fully understood. An important prerequisite for modelling the comb formation process is the knowledge of phase and amplitude of the comb modes as well as the detuning from their respective microresonator modes. Here, we present comprehensive measurements that fully characterize optical microcomb states. We introduce a way of measuring resonator dispersion and detuning of comb modes in a hot resonator while generating an optical frequency comb. The presented phase measurements show unpredicted comb states with discrete π and π/2 steps in the comb phases that are not observed in conventional optical frequency combs.

Self-injection locking and phase-locked states in microresonator-based optical frequency combs.

Microresonator-based optical frequency combs have been a topic of extensive research during the last few years. Several theoretical models for the comb generation have been proposed; however, they do not comprehensively address experimental results that show a variety of independent comb generation mechanisms. Here, we present frequency-domain experiments that illuminate the transition of microcombs into phase-locked states, which show characteristics of injection locking between ensembles of comb modes. In addition, we demonstrate the existence of equidistant optical frequency combs that are phase stable but have nondeterministic phase relationships between individual comb modes.

Diamond nanophotonics.

We demonstrate the coupling of single color centers in diamond to plasmonic and dielectric photonic structures to realize novel nanophotonic devices. Nanometer spatial control in the creation of single color centers in diamond is achieved by implantation of nitrogen atoms through high-aspect-ratio channels in a mica mask. Enhanced broadband single-photon emission is demonstrated by coupling nitrogen-vacancy centers to plasmonic resonators, such as metallic nanoantennas. Improved photon-collection efficiency and directed emission is demonstrated by solid immersion lenses and micropillar cavities. Thereafter, the coupling of diamond nanocrystals to the guided modes of micropillar resonators is discussed along with experimental results. Finally, we present a gas-phase-doping approach to incorporate color centers based on nickel and tungsten, in situ into diamond using microwave-plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The fabrication of silicon-vacancy centers in nanodiamonds by microwave-plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is discussed in addition.

Spin-on spintronics: ultrafast electron spin dynamics in ZnO and Zn1-xCoxO sol-gel films.

We use time-resolved Faraday rotation spectroscopy to probe the electron spin dynamics in ZnO and magnetically doped Zn(1-x)Co(x)O sol-gel thin films. In undoped ZnO, we observe an anomalous temperature dependence of the ensemble spin dephasing time T(2), i.e., longer coherence times at higher temperatures, reaching T(2) ∼ 1.2 ns at room temperature. Time-resolved transmission measurements suggest that this effect arises from hole trapping at grain surfaces. Deliberate addition of Co(2+) to ZnO increases the effective electron Landé g factor, providing the first direct determination of the mean-field electron-Co(2+) exchange energy in Zn(1-x)Co(x)O (N(0)α = +0.25 ± 0.02 eV). In Zn(1-x)Co(x)O, T(2) also increases with increasing temperature, allowing spin precession to be observed even at room temperature.

Colloidal ZnO quantum dots in ultraviolet pillar microcavities.

Three dimensional light confinement and distinct pillar microcavity modes in the ultraviolet have been observed in pillar resonators with embedded colloidal ZnO quantum dots fabricated by focused ion beam milling. Results from a waveguide model for the mode patterns and their spectral positions are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.

Colloidal quantum dots in all-dielectric high-Q pillar microcavities.

We have fabricated all-dielectric high-Q optical pillar resonators with embedded colloidal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots or rods as light emitters by focused ion beam milling. Three-dimensional light confinement and distinct pillar microcavity modes are observed. Results from a waveguide model for the mode patterns and their spectral positions are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. Cavities with elliptical cross sections show higher quality factors in the short axis direction than do circular resonators of the same cross-sectional area.