Photonic crystal interfaces: a design-driven approach
Abstract
Photonic Crystal structures have been heralded as a disruptive technology
for the miniaturization of opto-electronic devices, offering as they do the
possibility of guiding and manipulating light in sub-micron scale waveguides.
Applications of photonic crystal guiding - the ability to send light around sharp
bends or compactly split signals into two or more channels have attracted a
great deal of attention. Other effects of this waveguiding mechanism have
become apparent, and attracted much interest - the novel dispersion surfaces
of photonic crystal structures allow the possibility of “slow light” in a dielectric
medium, which as well as the possibility of compact optical delay lines may
allow enhanced light-matter interaction, and hence miniaturisation of active
optical devices. I also consider a third, more traditional type of photonic
crystal, in the form of a grating for surface coupling.
In this thesis, I address many of the aspects of passive photonic crystals,
from the underlying theory through applied device modelling, fabrication
concerns and experimental results and analysis. Further, for the devices
studied, I consider both the relative merits of the photonic crystal approach
and of my work compared to that of others in the field. Thus, the complete
spectrum of photonic crystal devices is covered.
With regard to specific results, the highlights of the work contained in this
thesis are as follows:
Realisation of surface grating couplers in a novel material system
demonstrating some of the highest reported fibre coupling efficiencies.
Development of a short “injecting” taper for coupling into photonic
crystal devices.
Optimisation and experimental validation of photonic crystal routing
elements (Y-splitter and bend).
Exploration of interfaces and coupling for “slow light” photonic crystals.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Rights
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http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/
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