Published by De Gruyter

Volume 4 Issue 2 - Integrated Photonic Devices: Sensors, Materials, Systems / Guest Editors: Peter O’Brien, Meint K. Smit and Christian Koos

Issue of Advanced Optical Technologies

Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available April 3, 2015

Community

Publicly Available March 25, 2015

News from the European Optical Society

Jyrki Saarinen, Elina Koistinen

Page range: 111-111

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Publicly Available March 24, 2015

Topical Issue: Integrated Photonic Devices: Sensors, Materials, Systems

Editorial

Publicly Available April 3, 2015

Special issue on ‘integrated photonic devices: sensors, materials, systems’

Peter O’Brien, Meint K. Smit, Christian Koos

Page range: 117-118

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Review Articles

Open Access March 25, 2015

Silicon photonics WDM transmitter with single section semiconductor mode-locked laser

Juliana Müller, Johannes Hauck, Bin Shen, Sebastian Romero-García, Elmira Islamova, Saeed Sharif Azadeh, Siddharth Joshi, Nicolas Chimot, Alvaro Moscoso-Mártir, Florian Merget, François Lelarge, Jeremy Witzens

Page range: 119-145

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Abstract

We demonstrate a wavelength domain-multiplexed (WDM) optical link relying on a single section semiconductor mode-locked laser (SS-MLL) with quantum dash (Q-Dash) gain material to generate 25 optical carriers spaced by 60.8 GHz, as well as silicon photonics (SiP) resonant ring modulators (RRMs) to modulate individual optical channels. The link requires optical reamplification provided by an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) in the system experiments reported here. Open eye diagrams with signal quality factors (Q-factors) above 7 are measured with a commercial receiver (Rx). For higher compactness and cost effectiveness, reamplification of the modulated channels with a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) operated in the linear regime is highly desirable. System and device characterization indicate compatibility with the latter. While we expect channel counts to be primarily limited by the saturation output power level of the SOA, we estimate a single SOA to support more than eight channels. Prior to describing the system experiments, component design and detailed characterization results are reported including design and characterization of RRMs, ring-based resonant optical add-drop multiplexers (RR-OADMs) and thermal tuners, S-parameters resulting from the interoperation of RRMs and RR-OADMs, and characterization of Q-Dash SS-MLLs reamplified with a commercial SOA. Particular emphasis is placed on peaking effects in the transfer functions of RRMs and RR-OADMs resulting from transient effects in the optical domain, as well as on the characterization of SS-MLLs in regard to relative intensity noise (RIN), stability of the modes of operation, and excess noise after reamplification.

March 19, 2015

Photonic IC design software and process design kits

Twan Korthorst, Remco Stoffer, Arjen Bakker

Page range: 147-155

Abstract

This review discusses photonic IC design software tools, examines existing design flows for photonics design and how these fit different design styles and describes the activities in collaboration and standardization within the silicon photonics group from Si2 and by members of the PDAFlow Foundation to improve design flows. Moreover, it will address the lowering of access barriers to the technology by providing qualified process design kits (PDKs) and improved integration of photonic integrated circuit simulations, physical simulations, mask layout, and verification.

March 19, 2015

Open access to technology platforms for InP-based photonic integrated circuits

Katarzyna Ławniczuk, Luc M. Augustin, Norbert Grote, Michael J. Wale, Meint K. Smit, Kevin A. Williams

Page range: 157-165

Abstract

Open access to generic technology platforms for photonic integrated circuit manufacturing enables low-cost development of application-specific photonic chips for novel or improved products. It brings photonic ICs within reach for many industrial users and research institutes, by moving toward a fabless business model. In the current status, InP-based open access manufacturing services are offered through multi-project wafer runs by Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institut, SMART Photonics, and Oclaro. In this paper, we review state-of-the-art InP photonic integration technology platforms, present examples of complex InP photonic ICs developed in the generic technologies, and give a prospect for further development of these photonic integration platforms.

March 26, 2015

AlGaInAs MOVPE selective area growth for photonic integrated circuits

Jean Decobert, Guillaume Binet, Alvaro D. B. Maia, Pierre-Yves Lagrée, Christophe Kazmierski

Page range: 167-177

Abstract

We developed a generic photonic integration platform based on selective area growth (SAG) by metal organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) of AlGaInAs/InP multiple quantum well (MQW) material. For efficient and predictive band gap engineering of photonic integrated circuits, different SAG zones of active and passive function heterostructures are precisely modeled and characterized. With the vapor-phase diffusion model, using numerical simulations of finite volumes, we extracted the three effective diffusion lengths of Al, Ga, and In species. In our growth conditions, these lengths were 32, 65, and 14 μm, respectively. The Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) equation, a classic approach to describe the growing interface profile, is used. AlGaInAs MQW properties are then simulated in terms of thickness, composition, band gap, and biaxial strain variations. Highly resolved μ-photoluminescence and optical interferometer microscopy measurements confirm the validity of the band gap and thickness variations for both bulk and MQW layers. A new diffractometer, with a submillimeter X-ray spot, was used to study the structural properties of the MQW in the center of the SAG area. As an application, we present the realization and operation of full-monolithic high-speed advanced modulation format transmitters based on novel prefixed optical phase switching by fast electro-absorption modulators.

April 3, 2015

Lasers in InP generic photonic integration technology platforms

Sylwester Latkowski, Daan Lenstra

Page range: 179-188

Abstract

A review is given of a number of lasers in a form of photonic integrated circuits realized on InP substrate using a generic integration approach. The potential of these photonic circuits lies in their compactness, low power consumption, and significant reduction of fabrication cost by realization in generic foundry runs. Generic integration platforms offer the possibility of realizing functionally advanced photonic circuits using combinations of just a few standardized and parameterized building blocks. This vibrant field opens new doors to innovative product development for SMEs as well as curiosity-driven research.

Open Access April 3, 2015

TriPleX: a versatile dielectric photonic platform

Kerstin Wörhoff, René G. Heideman, Arne Leinse, Marcel Hoekman

Page range: 189-207

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Abstract

Photonic applications based on planar waveguide technology impose stringent requirements on properties such as optical propagation losses, light coupling to optical fibers, integration density, as well as on reliability and reproducibility. The latter is correlated to a high level of control of the refractive index and waveguide geometry. In this paper, we review a versatile dielectric waveguide platform, called TriPleX, which is based on alternating silicon nitride and silicon dioxide films. Fabrication with CMOS-compatible equipment based on low-pressure chemical vapor deposition enables the realization of stable material compositions being a prerequisite to the control of waveguide properties and modal shape. The transparency window of both materials allows for the realization of low-loss waveguides over a wide wavelength range (400 nm–2.35 μm). Propagation losses as low as 5×10 -4 dB/cm are reported. Three basic geometries (box shell, double stripe, and filled box) can be distinguished. A specific tapering technology is developed for on-chip, low-loss (<0.1 dB) spotsize convertors, allowing for combining efficient fiber to chip coupling with high-contrast waveguides required for increased functional complexity as well as for hybrid integration with other photonic platforms such as InP and SOI. The functionality of the TriPleX platform is captured by verified basic building blocks. The corresponding library and associated design kit is available for multi-project wafer (MPW) runs. Several applications of this platform technology in communications, biomedicine, sensing, as well as a few special fields of photonics are treated in more detail.

Review Article

March 16, 2015

Considerations on automation of coating machines

Markus K. Tilsch, Michael S. O’Donnell

Page range: 209-219

Abstract

Most deposition chambers sold into the optical coating market today are outfitted with an automated control system. We surveyed several of the larger equipment providers, and nine of them responded with information about their hardware architecture, data logging, level of automation, error handling, user interface, and interfacing options. In this paper, we present a summary of the results of the survey and describe commonalities and differences together with some considerations of tradeoffs, such as between capability for high customization and simplicity of operation.

About this journal

Objective

Advanced Optical Technologies is a strictly peer-reviewed scientific journal. The major aim of Advanced Optical Technologies is to publish recent progress in the fields of optical design, optical engineering, and optical manufacturing. Advanced Optical Technologies has a main focus on applied research and addresses scientists as well as experts in industrial research and development.

Advanced Optical Technologies partners with the European Optical Society (EOS). All its 4.500+ members have free online access to the journal through their EOS member account.

Topics

Optical design
Lithography
Opto-mechanical engineering
Illumination and lighting technology
Precision fabrication
Image sensor devices
Optical materials (polymer based, inorganic, crystalline/amorphous)
Optical instruments in life science (biology, medicine, laboratories)
Optical metrology
Optics in aerospace/defense
Simulation, interdisciplinary
Optics for astronomy
Standards
Consumer optics
Optical coatings

Article formats
Tutorial, Review Article, Research Article, Letter, Short Communication, Views

> Information on submission process

Volume 4 Issue 2 - Integrated Photonic Devices: Sensors, Materials, Systems / Guest Editors: Peter O’Brien, Meint K. Smit and Christian Koos

Issue of Advanced Optical Technologies

Cover and Frontmatter

News from the European Optical Society

Conference Calendar

Editorial

Special issue on ‘integrated photonic devices: sensors, materials, systems’

Review Articles

Silicon photonics WDM transmitter with single section semiconductor mode-locked laser

Abstract

Photonic IC design software and process design kits

Abstract

Open access to technology platforms for InP-based photonic integrated circuits

Abstract

AlGaInAs MOVPE selective area growth for photonic integrated circuits

Abstract

Lasers in InP generic photonic integration technology platforms

Abstract

TriPleX: a versatile dielectric photonic platform

Abstract

Considerations on automation of coating machines

Abstract