arXiv subjects

Peter T. Rakich

Publications and source records attributed to Peter T. Rakich.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Fundamental noise dynamics in cascaded-order Brillouin lasers

The dynamics of cascaded-order Brillouin lasers make them ideal for applications such as rotation sensing, highly coherent optical communications, and low-noise microwave signal synthesis. Remark- ably, when implemented at the chip-scale, recent experimental studies have revealed that Brillouin lasers can operate in the fundamental linewidth regime where optomechanical and quantum noise sources dominate. To explore new opportunities for enhanced performance, we formulate a simple model to describe the physics of cascaded Brillouin lasers based on the coupled mode dynamics governed by electrostriction and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. From this model, we obtain analytical formulas describing the steady state power evolution and accompanying noise properties, including expressions for phase noise, relative intensity noise and power spectra for beat notes of cascaded laser orders. Our analysis reveals that cascading modifies the dynamics of intermediate laser orders, yielding noise properties that differ from single-mode Brillouin lasers. These modifications lead to a Stokes order linewidth dependency on the coupled order dynamics and a broader linewidth than that predicted with previous single order theories. We also derive a simple analytical expression for the higher order beat notes that enables calculation of the Stokes linewidth based on only the relative measured powers between orders instead of absolute parameters, yielding a method to measure cascaded order linewidth as well as a prediction for sub-Hz operation. We validate our results using stochastic numerical simulations of the cascaded laser dynamics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Integrated RF-photonic Filters via Photonic-Phononic Emit-Receive Operations

The creation of high-performance narrowband filters is of great interest for many RF-signal processing applications. To this end, numerous schemes for electronic, MEMS-based, and microwave photonic filters have been demonstrated. Filtering schemes based on microwave photonic systems offer superior flexibility and tunability to traditional RF filters. However, these optical-based filters are typically limited to GHz-widths and often have large RF insertion losses, posing challenges for integration into high-fidelity radiofrequency circuits. In this article, we demonstrate a novel type of microwave filter that combines the attractive features of microwave photonic filters with high-Q phononic signal processing using a photonic-phononic emit-receive process. Through this process, a RF signal encoded on a guided optical wave is transduced onto a GHz-frequency acoustic wave, where it may be filtered through shaping of acoustic transfer functions before being re-encoded onto a spatially separate optical probe. This emit-receive functionality, realized in an integrated silicon waveguide, produces MHz-bandwidth band-pass filtering while supporting low RF insertion losses necessary for high dynamic range in a microwave photonic link. We also demonstrate record-high internal efficiency for emit-receive operations of this type, and show that the emit-receive operation is uniquely suitable for the creation of serial filter banks with minimal loss of fidelity. This photonic-phononic emitter-receiver represents a new method for low-distortion signal-processing in an integrated all-silicon device.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2017

Integrated Waveguide Brillouin Laser

The demand for high-performance chip-scale lasers has driven rapid growth in integrated photonics. The creation of such low-noise laser sources is critical for emerging on-chip applications, ranging from coherent optical communications, photonic microwave oscillators remote sensing and optical rotational sensors. While Brillouin lasers are a promising solution to these challenges, new strategies are needed to create robust, compact, low power and low cost Brillouin laser technologies through wafer-scale integration. To date, chip-scale Brillouin lasers have remained elusive due to the difficulties in realization of these lasers on a commercial integration platform. In this paper, we demonstrate, for the first time, monolithically integrated Brillouin lasers using a wafer-scale process based on an ultra-low loss Si3N4/SiO2 waveguide platform. Cascading of stimulated Brillouin lasing to 10 Stokes orders was observed in an integrated bus-coupled resonator with a loaded Q factor exceeding 28 million. We experimentally quantify the laser performance, including threshold, slope efficiency and cascading dynamics, and compare the results with theory. The large mode volume integrated resonator and gain medium supports a TE-only resonance and unique 2.72 GHz free spectral range, essential for high performance integrated Brillouin lasing. The laser is based on a non-acoustic guiding design that supplies a broad Brillouin gain bandwidth. Characteristics for high performance lasing are demonstrated due to large intra-cavity optical power and low lasing threshold power. Consistent laser performance is reported for multiple chips across multiple wafers. This design lends itself to wafer-scale integration of practical high-yield, highly coherent Brillouin lasers on a chip.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Quantum acoustics with superconducting qubits

The ability to engineer and manipulate different types of quantum mechanical objects allows us to take advantage of their unique properties and create useful hybrid technologies. Thus far, complex quantum states and exquisite quantum control have been demonstrated in systems ranging from trapped ions to superconducting resonators. Recently, there have been many efforts to extend these demonstrations to the motion of complex, macroscopic objects. These mechanical objects have important applications as quantum memories or transducers for measuring and connecting different types of quantum systems. In particular, there have been a few experiments that couple motion to nonlinear quantum objects such as superconducting qubits. This opens up the possibility of creating, storing, and manipulating non-Gaussian quantum states in mechanical degrees of freedom. However, before sophisticated quantum control of mechanical motion can be achieved, we must realize systems with long coherence times while maintaining a sufficient interaction strength. These systems should be implemented in a simple and robust manner that allows for increasing complexity and scalability in the future. Here we experimentally demonstrate a high frequency bulk acoustic wave resonator that is strongly coupled to a superconducting qubit using piezoelectric transduction. In contrast to previous experiments with qubit-mechanical systems, our device requires only simple fabrication methods, extends coherence times to many microseconds, and provides controllable access to a multitude of phonon modes. We use this system to demonstrate basic quantum operations on the coupled qubit-phonon system. Straightforward improvements to the current device will allow for advanced protocols analogous to what has been shown in optical and microwave resonators, resulting in a novel resource for implementing hybrid quantum technologies.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

On-chip Inter-modal Brillouin Scattering

Stimulated Brillouin interactions mediate nonlinear coupling between photons and acoustic phonons through an optomechanical three-wave interaction. Though these nonlinearities were previously very weak in silicon photonic systems, the recent emergence of new optomechanical waveguide structures have transformed Brillouin processes into one of the strongest and most tailorable on-chip nonlinear interactions. New technologies based on Brillouin couplings have formed a basis for amplification, filtering, and nonreciprocal signal processing techniques. In this paper, we demonstrate strong guided-wave Brillouin scattering between light fields guided in distinct spatial modes of a silicon waveguide for the first time. This inter-modal coupling creates dispersive symmetry breaking between Stokes and anti-Stokes processes, permitting single-sideband amplification and wave dynamics that permit near-unity power conversion. Combining these physics with integrated mode-multiplexers enables novel device topologies and eliminates the need for optical circulators or narrowband spectral filtering to separate pump and signal waves as in traditional Brillouin processes. We demonstrate 3.5 dB of optical gain, over 2.3 dB of net amplification, and 50% single-sideband energy transfer between two optical modes in a pure silicon waveguide, expanding the design space for flexible on-chip light sources, amplifiers, nonreciprocal devices, and signal processing technologies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2016

Guided-wave Brillouin scattering in air

Here we identify a new form of optomechanical coupling in gas-filled hollow-core fibers. Stimulated forward Brillouin scattering is observed in air in the core of a photonic bandgap fiber. A single resonance is observed at 35 MHz, which corresponds to the first excited axial-radial acoustic mode in the air-filled core. The linewidth and coupling strengths are determined by the acoustic loss and electrostrictive coupling in air, respectively. A simple analytical model, refined by numerical simulations, is developed that accurately predicts the Brillouin coupling strength and frequency from the gas and fiber parameters. Since this form of Brillouin coupling depends strongly on both the acoustic and dispersive optical properties of the gas within the fiber, this new type of optomechanical interaction is highly tailorable. These results allow for forward Brillouin spectroscopy in dilute gases, could be useful for sensing and will present a power and noise limitation for certain applications.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Closed-form solutions and scaling laws for Kerr frequency combs

A single closed-form analytical solution of the driven nonlinear Schrödinger equation is developed, reproducing a large class of the behaviors in Kerr-comb systems, including bright-solitons, dark-solitons, and a large class of periodic wavetrains. From this analytical framework, a Kerr-comb area theorem and a pump-detuning relation are developed, providing new insights into soliton- and wavetrain-based combs along with concrete design guidelines for both. This new area theorem reveals significant deviation from the conventional soliton area theorem, which is crucial to understanding cavity solitons in certain limits. Moreover, these closed-form solutions represent the first step towards an analytical framework for wavetrain formation, and reveal new parameter regimes for enhanced Kerr-comb performance.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Large Brillouin Amplification in Silicon

Strong Brillouin coupling has only recently been realized in silicon using a new class of optomechanical waveguides that yield both optical and phononic confinement. Despite these major advances, appreciable Brillouin amplification has yet to be observed in silicon. Using a new membrane-suspended silicon waveguide we report large Brillouin amplification for the first time, reaching levels greater than 5 dB for modest pump powers, and demonstrate a record low (5 mW) threshold for net amplification. This work represents a crucial advance necessary to realize high-performance Brillouin lasers and amplifiers in silicon.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Control of coherent information via on chip photonic-phononic emitter-receivers

Rapid progress in silicon photonics has fostered numerous chip-scale sensing, computing, and signal processing technologies. However, many crucial filtering and signal delay operations are difficult to perform with all-optical devices. Unlike photons propagating at luminal speeds, GHz-acoustic phonons with slow velocity allow information to be stored, filtered, and delayed over comparatively smaller length-scales with remarkable fidelity. Hence, controllable and efficient coupling between coherent photons and phonons enables new signal processing technologies that greatly enhance the performance and potential impact of silicon photonics. Here, we demonstrate a novel mechanism for coherent information processing based on traveling-wave photon-phonon transduction, which achieves a phonon emit-and-receive process between distinct nanophotonic waveguides. Using this device physics-which can support 1-20GHz frequencies-we create wavelength-insensitive radio-frequency photonic filters with an unrivaled combination of stopband attenuation, selectivity, linewidth, and power-handling in silicon. More generally, this emit-receive concept is the impetus for numerous powerful new signal processing schemes.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Strong THz and Infrared Optical Forces on a Suspended Single-Layer Graphene Sheet

Single-layer graphene exhibits exceptional mechanical properties attractive for optomechanics: it combines low mass density, large tensile modulus, and low bending stiffness. However, at visible wavelengths, graphene absorbs weakly and reflects even less, thereby inadequate to generate large optical forces needed in optomechanics. Here, we numerically show that a single-layer graphene sheet is sufficient to produce strong optical forces under terahertz or infrared illumination. For a system as simple as graphene suspended atop a uniform substrate, high reflectivity from the substrate is crucial in creating a standing-wave pattern, leading to a strong optical force on graphene. This force is readily tunable in amplitude and direction by adjusting the suspension height. In particular, repellent optical forces can levitate graphene to a series of stable equilibrium heights above the substrate. One of the key parameters to maximize the optical force is the excitation frequency: peak forces are found near the scattering frequency of free carriers in graphene. With a dynamically controllable Fermi level, graphene opens up new possibilities of tunable nanoscale optomechanical devices.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Tailorable Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in Nanoscale Silicon Waveguides

While nanoscale modal confinement radically enhances a variety of nonlinear light-matter interactions within silicon waveguides, traveling-wave stimulated Brillouin scattering nonlinearities have never been observed in silicon nanophotonics. Through a new class of hybrid photonic-phononic waveguides, we demonstrate tailorable traveling-wave forward stimulated Brillouin scattering in nanophotonic silicon waveguides for the first time, yielding 3000 times stronger forward SBS responses than any previous waveguide system. Simulations reveal that a coherent combination of electrostrictive forces and radiation pressures are responsible for greatly enhanced photon-phonon coupling at nano-scales. Highly tailorable Brillouin nonlinearities are produced by engineering the structure of a membrane-suspended waveguide to yield Brillouin resonances from 1 to 18 GHz through high quality-factor (>1000) phonon modes. Such wideband and tailorable stimulated Brillouin scattering in silicon photonics could enable practical realization of on-chip slow-light devices, RF-photonic filtering and sensing, and ultra-narrow-band laser sources by using standard semiconductor fabrication and CMOS technologies.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Stimulated brillouin scattering in slow light waveguides

We develop a general method of calculating Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) gain coefficient in axially periodic waveguides. Applying this method to a silicon periodic waveguide suspended in air, we demonstrate that SBS nonlinearity can be dramatically enhanced at the brillouin zone boundary where the decreased group velocity of light magnifies photon-phonon interaction. In addition, we show that the symmetry plane perpendicular to the propagation axis plays an important role in both forward and backward SBS processes. In forward SBS, only elastic modes which are even about this plane are excitable. In backward SBS, the SBS gain coefficients of elastic modes approach to either infinity or constants, depending on their symmetry about this plane at $q=0$.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2012

Stimulated brillouin scattering in nanoscale silicon step-index waveguides: A general framework of selection rules and calculating SBS gain

We develop a general framework of evaluating the gain coefficient of Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) in optical waveguides via the overlap integral between optical and elastic eigen-modes. We show that spatial symmetry of the optical force dictates the selection rules of the excitable elastic modes. By applying this method to a rectangular silicon waveguide, we demonstrate the spatial distributions of optical force and elastic eigen-modes jointly determine the magnitude and scaling of SBS gain coefficient in both forward and backward SBS processes. We further apply this method to inter-modal SBS process, and demonstrate that the coupling between distinct optical modes are necessary to excite elastic modes with all possible symmetries.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗