Enhanced linear and nonlinear optical phase response of AlGaAs microring resonators

Abstract

We have constructed and characterized several optical microring resonators with scale sizes of the order of 10 microm. These devices are intended to serve as building blocks for engineerable linear and nonlinear photonic media. Light is guided vertically by an epitaxially grown structure and transversely by deeply etched air-clad sidewalls. We report on the spectral phase transfer characteristics of such resonators. We also report the observation of a pi-rad Kerr nonlinear phase shift accumulated in a single compact ring resonator evidenced by all-optical switching between output ports of a resonator-enhanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Robust optical delay lines with topological protection

“…Now, by connecting resonators in a lattice structure and tuning the phase of the connecting waveguides, we can arrange the acquired phase around each plaquette to be uniform and equal to 2πα. The phase can be tuned either by changing the length (or the index of refraction) of the connecting waveguides or by coupling ring resonators to the sides of the waveguides (similar to a Mach-Zender configuration [24,25]). The implementation of a Landau-type gauge is shown in Fig.…”

Nonlinear and Quantum Optics with Whispering Gallery Resonators

“…On-chip fabrication of resonator and waveguide coupler arrays, such as shown in figures 10 and 14, is possible using reactive ion etching of various resonator material layers grown on a substrate [156,356,357,374,385,393,455,531,594], sometimes complete with a protective layer. In the case of silicon, the resonator-waveguide structures have been fabricated using the standard silicon-on-insulator microfabrication techniques [454, 522-528, 612, 613].…”

Low power four wave mixing in an integrated, micro-ring resonator with Q = 12 million

“…However, a low intrinsic figure of merit (n2/(α2·λ), where α2 is the two-photon absorption coefficient) in silicon [8,9] as well as an immature fabrication process and possible material power handling issues in chalcogenides, have motivated the search for additional platforms. High Q cavities have been effective in enhancing FWM in silicon [10] and GaAs [11,12] integrated devices, as well as in silica [5,13] and chalcogenide glass [14][15][16] microspheres and toroids.…”