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Ultrashort pulse polarization control in silicon waveguides
Montasir Qasymeh1, Sergey A Ponomarenko, Michael Cada
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada. montasir@dal.ca
Optics Express
|February 4, 2009
Summary
Control ultrashort optical pulse dynamics in silicon waveguides using electric fields. This research shows potential for reconfigurable optical devices in the near- to mid-infrared spectrum.
Area of Science:
- Nonlinear optics
- Photonics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Silicon photonics is a key technology for optical devices.
- Understanding nonlinear polarization dynamics is crucial for pulse control.
- Low birefringent waveguides offer unique propagation characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the nonlinear polarization dynamics of ultrashort optical pulses in silicon waveguides.
- To explore the control of pulse shape and polarization evolution using applied electric fields.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of achieving polarization instability in silicon waveguides for device applications.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of nonlinear polarization dynamics.
- Numerical simulations of pulse propagation in silicon waveguides.
- Application of static electric fields to control waveguide properties.
Main Results:
- Pulse shape and polarization evolution are efficiently controlled by adjusting the applied dc electric field magnitude.
- Polarization instability regime can be achieved despite strong linear losses by engineering the control field distribution.
- Short silicon waveguides show promise for reconfigurable devices.
Conclusions:
- Silicon waveguides provide a versatile platform for manipulating ultrashort optical pulses.
- Electric field control offers a method for tuning nonlinear optical effects.
- The findings support the development of reconfigurable all-optical and optically assisted electro-optic devices.
