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1Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. amiya@mit.edu
Optics Letters
|December 4, 2012
Summary
This study introduces frequency chirping for efficient, broadband vertical light emission from dielectric waveguides using nanophotonic antennas. This novel method achieves high efficiency and wide bandwidth in compact devices.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics
- Optoelectronics
- Antenna Engineering
Background:
- Subwavelength vertical emission from dielectric waveguides is crucial for integrated photonics.
- Achieving broadband and high efficiency simultaneously remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate frequency chirping as a method for broadband, efficient subwavelength vertical emission.
- To investigate the theoretical underpinnings and design methodology of frequency-chirped nanophotonic antennas coupled to dielectric waveguides.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical investigation of frequency chirping in nanophotonic antennas.
- Numerical demonstration using three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations.
- Design of a plasmonic antenna integrated with an Si3N4 dielectric waveguide and a ground plane.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the first use of frequency chirping for broadband, efficient subwavelength vertical emission.
- Achieved up to 55% vertical emission efficiency in the telecom C band.
- Obtained a 500 nm bandwidth from a structure less than half a wavelength long.
Conclusions:
- Frequency chirping is a viable and effective technique for enhancing vertical emission from dielectric waveguides.
- The proposed nanophotonic antenna design offers a promising solution for efficient, broadband light outcoupling.
- This work lays the foundation for future developments in compact, high-performance photonic devices.
