Ultrabroadband parametric generation and wavelength conversion in silicon waveguides

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Optical Engineering
• Semiconductor Device Physics
• Nonlinear Optics

Background:

• Silicon photonics offers a platform for nonlinear optical processes.
• Parametric generation and wavelength conversion are crucial for optical communications.
• Challenges exist in achieving efficient nonlinear processes in silicon due to material limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate ultrabroadband parametric generation and wavelength conversion in silicon waveguides.
• To investigate the impact of nonlinearities and losses on parametric processes.
• To explore efficient schemes for broadband wavelength conversion using pulsed and dual-pump configurations.

Main Methods:

• Tailoring zero-dispersion wavelength of silicon waveguides.
• Launching pump waves near the zero-dispersion wavelength.
• Quantifying effects of two-photon absorption, free-carrier generation, and linear losses.
• Investigating transient dynamics of four-wave mixing with pulsed pumps.
• Analyzing dual-pump configurations for multiband operation.

Main Results:

• Ultrabroadband parametric generation and wavelength conversion realized near 1550 nm.
• Continuous-wave pumping shows limitations for net signal gain and transparent conversion.
• Pulsed pumping enables highly efficient parametric amplification and wavelength conversion.
• Dual-pump configuration achieves uniform efficiency over a 300 nm spectral region.

Conclusions:

• Silicon waveguides are suitable for broadband parametric generation and wavelength conversion.
• Pulsed pumping overcomes limitations of continuous-wave pumping for efficient nonlinear processes.
• Dual-pump configurations are effective for achieving multiband, uniform-efficiency wavelength conversion.