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Updated: May 23, 2026
09:23
Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
Published on: May 30, 2014
Strong and broadband second-order optical nonlinearity through multiple coupled metallic quantum wells
Ching-Fu Chen1, Luke A Herman1, Zhaowei Liu1,2,3
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. zhaowei@ucsd.edu.
Nanoscale
|May 22, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel material system exhibiting strong and broadband optical second-order nonlinearity. This breakthrough in nonlinear optics is key for advanced photonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photonics
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Developing materials with strong optical nonlinearity is crucial for advanced photonic applications.
- Existing materials often lack broadband response or sufficient nonlinear coefficients in the near-infrared spectrum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically and experimentally demonstrate a material system with strong and broadband optical second-order nonlinearity.
- To design and fabricate novel TiN-based coupled metallic quantum wells for enhanced nonlinear optical properties.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling and experimental fabrication of multilayered TiN-based metallic quantum wells.
- Epitaxial growth techniques to create precisely structured material stacks.
- Measurement of near-infrared to visible second-harmonic generation to quantify nonlinear susceptibility.
Main Results:
- Achieved a high second-order nonlinear susceptibility (χ(2)) of 740 pm V⁻¹ at 900 nm.
- Demonstrated broadband nonlinear response, covering a 200 nm range from 800 nm to 1000 nm.
- Successfully fabricated TiN-based coupled metallic quantum wells with tailored nonlinear properties.
Conclusions:
- The developed material system offers strong and broadband optical second-order nonlinearity in the near-infrared.
- This work paves the way for creating custom optical nonlinearity in materials.
- Potential applications include bioimaging, ultrafast light sources, and quantum information technologies.
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