A lensed fiber Bragg grating-based membrane-in-the-middle optomechanical cavity.

Optomechanical systems benefit from the coupling between an optical field and mechanical vibrations. Fiber-based devices are well suited to easily exploit this interaction. We report an alternative approach of a silicon nitride membrane-in-the-middle of a high quality factor ([Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]) Fabry-Perot, formed by a grating inscribed within a fiber core as an input mirror in front of a dielectric back mirror. The Pound-Drever-Hall technique used to stabilize the laser frequency on the optical resonance frequency allows us to reduce the low frequency noise down to [Formula: see text]. We present a detailed methodology for the characterization of the optical and optomechanical properties of this stabilized system, using various membrane geometries, with corresponding resonance frequencies in the range of several hundred of [Formula: see text]. The excellent long-term stability is illustrated by continuous measurements of the thermomechanical noise spectrum over several days, with the laser source maintained at optical resonance. This major result makes this system an ideal candidate for optomechanical sensing.

Sub-wavelength grating interdigitated combs as photonic waveguides.

In this Letter, we demonstrate a new, to the best of our knowledge, kind of photonic waveguide, in which the light propagates in the overlap of sub-wavelength patterned interdigitated combs. We present the fabrication and characterization of this waveguide, along with an adiabatic taper ensuring lossless transition with classical photonic waveguides. Finally, we explore some practical applications of this waveguide, as a bio-photonic sensor or as an optomechanical transduction scheme.

Design, fabrication and characterization of an AWG at 4.5 µm.

In this paper, we present the design, the fabrication and the characterization of an Arrayed Waveguide Grating (AWG) based on a SiGe graded index waveguide platform, operating at 4.5 µm. These devices were specifically designed to work together with an array of Distributed Feedback Bragg Quantum Cascade Lasers (DFB-QCL) emitting at different wavelengths. The AWG enables to combine the different light sources into a single output and the design adopted allows to maximize transmission over the entire spectral range defined by the array of DFB-QCLs.

Broadband telecom to mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in a dispersion-engineered silicon germanium waveguide.

We demonstrate broadband supercontinuum generation (SCG) in a dispersion-engineered silicon-germanium waveguide. The 3 cm long waveguide is pumped by femtosecond pulses at 2.4 µm, and the generated supercontinuum extends from 1.45 to 2.79 µm (at the -30 dB point). The broadening is mainly driven by the generation of a dispersive wave in the 1.5-1.8 µm region and soliton fission. The SCG was modeled numerically, and excellent agreement with the experimental results was obtained.

Towards nonlinear conversion from mid- to near-infrared wavelengths using Silicon Germanium waveguides.

We demonstrate the design, fabrication and characterization of a highly nonlinear graded-index SiGe waveguide for the conversion of mid-infrared signals to the near-infrared. Using phase-matched four-wave mixing, we report the conversion of a signal at 2.65 µm to 1.77 µm using a pump at 2.12 µm.

Low loss SiGe graded index waveguides for mid-IR applications.

In the last few years Mid InfraRed (MIR) photonics has received renewed interest for a variety of commercial, scientific and military applications. This paper reports the design, the fabrication and the characterization of SiGe/Si based graded index waveguides and photonics integrated devices. The thickness and the Ge concentration of the core layer were optimized to cover the full [3 - 8 µm] band. The developed SiGe/Si stack has been used to fabricate straight waveguides and basic optical functions such as Y-junction, crossings and couplers. Straight waveguides showed losses as low as 1 dB/cm at λ = 4.5 µm and 2 dB/cm at 7.4 µm. Likewise straight waveguides, basic functions exhibit nearly theoretical behavior with losses compatible with the implementation of more complex functions in integrated photonics circuits. To the best of our knowledge, the performances of those Mid-IR waveguides significantly exceed the state of the art, confirming the feasibility of using graded SiGe/Si devices in a wide range of wavelengths. These results represent a capital breakthrough to develop a photonic platform working in the Mid-IR range.

FWM-based wavelength conversion of 40 Gbaud PSK signals in a silicon germanium waveguide.

We demonstrate four wave mixing (FWM) based wavelength conversion of 40 Gbaud differential phase shift keyed (DPSK) and quadrature phase shift keyed (QPSK) signals in a 2.5 cm long silicon germanium waveguide. For a 290 mW pump power, bit error ratio (BER) measurements show approximately a 2-dB power penalty in both cases of DPSK (measured at a BER of 10(-9)) and QPSK (at a BER of 10(-3)) signals that we examined.

Optical properties of silicon germanium waveguides at telecommunication wavelengths.

We present a systematic experimental study of the linear and nonlinear optical properties of silicon-germanium (SiGe) waveguides, conducted on samples of varying cross-sectional dimensions and Ge concentrations. The evolution of the various optical properties for waveguide widths in the range 0.3 to 2 µm and Ge concentrations varying between 10 and 30% is considered. Finally, we comment on the comparative performance of the waveguides, when they are considered for nonlinear applications at telecommunications wavelengths.

Mlines characterization of the refractive index profile of SiGe gradient waveguides at 2.15 µm.

SiGe alloys present a large Infra-Red transparency window and a full compatibility with the standard Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor processing making them suitable for applications in integrated optics. In this paper we report on Mlines characterization of Si(1-x)Ge(x) graded index waveguides at 2.15 µm. First, a law giving the refractive index of a Si(1-x)Ge(x) alloy as a function of the Ge content x: n = 1.342x(2) + 0.295x + 3.451, has been experimentally established in the 0 < x < 0.4 range. Then, we have demonstrated that our methodology based on Mlines measurements can be used as short-loop non-destructive technique to provide feedback for sample growth.

Transmission behaviors of single mode hollow metallic waveguides dedicated to mid-infrared nulling interferometry.

This paper reports the characterization of hollow metallic waveguides (HMW) to be used as single-mode wavefront filters for nulling interferometry in the 6-20microm range. The measurements presented here were performed using both single-mode and multimode conductive waveguides at 10.6microm. We found propagation losses of about 16dB/mm, which are mainly due to the theoretical skin effect absorption in addition to the roughness of the waveguide's metallic walls. The input and output coupling efficiency of our samples has been improved by adding tapers to minimize the impedance mismatch. A proper distinction between propagation losses and coupling losses is presented. Despite their elevate propagation losses, HMW show excellent spatial filtering capabilities in a spectral range where photonics technologies are only emerging.

A new generation of scanners for DNA chips.

Today, most of the DNA chips are used with fluorescent markers. Associated with fluorescence confocal scanners, this technology achieves remarkable performances in terms of sensitivity and accuracy. The main technical issues related to these scanners have already been reviewed. However, these scanners are costly, especially when high density chips are used. In this case, a mechanical precision of 1 microm or less is required to achieve the measurement precision required. This cost level prevents the spread of this technology in the diagnostic market. We will present a new concept for scanners with equivalent or superior performances, with a cost cut of 5-10. This concept is inspired from the field of optical disk and reader. Basically, an optical format is added to the chip, before DNA deposition. This format contains tracks which are superimposed to the DNA features. These tracks define the path that an optical head of a CD player must follow in order to scan the surface of the DNA chip. Such a head is a very cheap component, and has a precision of less than 100 nm thanks to real-time focus and tracking. These functions are fulfilled by electromagnetic actuators mounted on the support of the frontal lens. We show here that it is possible to use such a head to build a fluorescence confocal scanner with equivalent or even better performances than conventional scanners.