NanoPlasmonics, Microphotonics & Imaging

Research that includes:

  • Polymer, printed optical lenslet arrays
  • Microfluidic tuneable photopolymer lenses
  • Optical switches and planar lightwave MEMS
  • Vertically integrated microconfocal arrays
  • Bio-inspired integration of tuneable polymer optics with imaging electronics

BPN336: Tunable microdisk filters for DWDM optical network applications

David Leuenberger
Jin Yao
2006

Semiconductor optical microdisk resonators are building blocks for many dense wavelength-division-multiplexing (DWDM) applications. Since wavelength determines the routing in a DWDM network, the ability to manipulate the spectral characteristics of in-line devices in a dynamic way is highly desirable. Microdisk resonators enable many functionalities in the optical layer such as demultiplexing, adding/dropping channels and optical bandwidth allocation.

Project end date: 01/25/07

MCW7: Single-Chip MEMS-Based Optical Crossconnect

Chao-Hsi Josh Chi
2006

The goal of this project is to develop monolithic 1xN wavelength-selective switches (WSS) and NxN wavelength-selective cross connects (WSXC) for WDM networks. The Si-based planar lightwave circuits (PLC) and the MEMS micromirrors are monolithically fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) chip. All optical paths are defined by photolithography and no optical alignment is necessary. The WSS and WSXC can be deployed in mesh networks. There is no need for OEO conversion, and they are format and bit-rate transparent.

Project end date: 01/25/07

MCW4: MEMS-Actuated Tunable Optical Microtoroidal Resonators

Jin Yao
2007

Microresonators are key enabling devices or elements in numerous application aspects.The goal of this project is to study and improve the on-chip integration and performance of microresonators,so that they can be more effiective building blocks for wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) photonic integrated circuits, such as on-chip channel add-drop filters, wavelength-selective switches, group velocity dispersion compensators, compact nonlinear optical devices, and optical sensors.

Project end date: 07/24/07

MCW9: Tunable SOI Microring Optical Modulator

Sagi Mathai
Joanna Lai
Xin Sun
2007

CMOS scaling driven by “Moore’s Law” has allowed great improvements in microelectronic integrated circuit technology. In addition, high index contrast SOI optical waveguides are receiving much attention for their potential in implementing high density photonic integrated circuits alongside microelectronics. This project entails the design, fabrication, and experimental demonstration of a tunable SOI microring optical modulator with the potential for integration with CMOS microelectronics.

Project end date: 07/24/07

RSM36: Selectively Addressed MEMS Digital-Mirror Arrays for Adaptive Optics

Blake Lin
2007

This project investigates the design of MEMS-deformable-mirror (DM) arrays for adaptive-optics (AO) systems. In these arrays, micromirror segments are individually addressed and controlled to correct the aberrated wavefronts of an optical beam dynamically. This correction improves image resolution in telescopes or vision-science instruments. Our research focuses on developing a CMOS-compatible MEMS process to integrate micromirrors with their driving electronics and control circuitry. In this way, we will control large mirror arrays selectively.

Project end date: ...

MCW8: MEMS Endoscopic Lens-Based Optical Coherence Tomography

Ki-Hun Jeong
Jingyi Chen
Jongbaeg Kim
2006

There is a need to develop a compact in dimension, high speed, bi-axial scanning, and robust scanner with Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) technology for in vivo imaging in Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) applications. These MEMS based endoscoopes with distal beam scanning can image with higher speed, precision, and repeatability than conventional linear scanning endoscopes in which the entire endoscope is mechanically translated with respect to the observed tissue. Most importantly, with bi-axial scanning capability of the MEMS scanner, three dimensional in vivo real time...

BPN376: High frequency optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) by optical injection locking

Hyuk-Kee Sung
Erwin K. Lau
2007

Optoelectronic oscillators (OEOs) can generate high-purity RF signals with very low phase noise. The application covers a wide area of photonic and RF systems such as microwave frequency standards, radars, RF photonics and optical signal processing. Conventional OEOs have two potential drawbacks: RF amplifiers with high gain (up to ~ 60 dB) are needed to compensate the RF link loss of the feedback loop; and high frequency operation is challenging. To overcome the drawbacks and further enhance the performance of OEO, we propose a novel optical injection-locked optoelectronic...

BPN390: Fluid microlens for MEMS

George Chao-chih Hsu
2007

Tunable micro-lenses have been the focus of many studies recently. However, due to the inert complexity of the fluid-solid interaction, arraying has yet to be achieved. This project focuses on creating an efficient fabrication process with new design and materials. These improvements make the new design readily applicable to collimators and Shack-Harmon Sensors. Furthermore, we will study performance of various lens liquids, more specifically ones that will increase the working temperature range. We will then characterize the new lens liquids and hydrophobic layer under various...

BPN349: MEMS Tunable Micro-optical Resonator

Ming-Chun (Jason) Tien
2007

Microring and microdisk resonators are key components to realize silicon monolithic optoelectronic devices because they have the potential of integration with current CMOS electronic devices. The applications include most wavelength-division-multiplexing photonic circuits, such as optoelectronic transceivers, wavelength filters, add-drop multiplexers, optical delay lines, and group velocity dispersion compensators. Furthermore, in order to achieve dynamic switching functions, tunable capability is desired. Here we propose a tunable microring resonator with integrated MEMS actuators,...

DAH2: A MEMS Optical Modulator and Filter

Jack L. Skinner
2007

Optical sensors have applications in chemical detection, thermal imaging, motion sensing, and temperature measurement. A narrow-band optical filter is often used to confine radiation intensity measurement to a specific range of optical wavelengths. Similarly, devices such as optical displays require precise filtration and modulation of light. The current project seeks to create a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device with narrow-band optical filtering and modulation properties. This research will result in technology to decrease sensor size and improve sensor functionality,...