Manipulate light on a microchip Metamaterials

Manipulate light on a microchip Metamaterials

Penn State University ScienceDaily (23 November, 2012) - transformation optics and metamaterials using a set of new tools, engineers small optical devices based on the chip can be used in optical integrated circuits designed for is equivalent electronic circuits that integrate computer and mobile phone possible.
In the short term control of light on a microchip, optical communication and can improve the sensing material interacts with the electromagnetic waves are allowed. In the medium term, integrated optical circuits for infrared imaging systems are possible. That way lies more high-speed optical computing. Equality leading the way forward, and the construction of structures smaller than wavelength of light requires some twists.
A refraction phenomenon can be seen in the way light bends naturally as a wealth of other cross bow is a stick in the water. On such a hot day on the road or desert mirages shimmer illusion of water, hot and cold air layers are due to the difference in refractive indices. New field of transformation optics (TO) in the 150-year-old Maxwell in a strict mathematical method metamaterials, custom designed artificial formation with refractive indexes, known as the equation of propagation of light structure applicable Bending the Light uses this trend. the most famous of metamaterials cloaking devices and applications are excellent lenses, but they are only the tip of the iceberg theory.
Science and Applications, Nature Publishing Group, Electrical Engineering Professor Douglas Werner,, and their positions and PhD DOC published by Wu Qi: A new online student newspaper Jeremiah Journal Turpin change in light optics using a single platform for the design of practical devices offer a unified theory. Werner says that "the field (change optics) is in its early stages, therefore, be a part of,". "Our major contribution is figuring out how with simple material parameters for design without affecting performance, and devices connected together to form a chip is integrated photonic systems."
In addition, the design of light collimators, take the light from a source and one or more tightly focused beam, waveguide couplers, which connect different size waveguides splitters, the waveguide input two or Production and distribution of electricity in more than waveguides are focusing, waveguide crossings, loss or crosstalk in the compact spaces without light and benders, without loss around the corner street light turn. These devices only five to ten microns in size, and therefore several centimeters in size can fit on a chip.
"This is a common design for this transformation optics devices and have been trying," Werner said. Jeremy refuses design tools behind artificial Qi is developing algorithms written. Application targeted to achieve the best design, virtual Thousands powerful optimization technique developed in our group using can perform. '
Transformation optics devices that diverse, with simple functions can be added and optical communications, imaging, computing and photonic sensing system for building complex, the authors said. The present approach, a variety of methods and materials that can be integrated on a single platform using the device's design. Werner Group's technology, on the other hand, there are holes or bars such as sample index metamaterial structures, silicon on insulator photonic chip a platform system that integrates easily, ratings, employees broad bandwidth and low loss.
Werner described in the paper will design all realistic with current fab process can build, said. "It's like CAD tool," he explains, computer-aided design tools used in manufacturing referring to. He said optical device design changes for custom optics is denied and optimization tools as well. "He continued," These new tools that are flexible enough then there is all that opens the possibility of creating. '
Partial support for this work was provided by NSF MRSEC.