Contents
2017
Volume: 5 Issue 2
23 Article(s)

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS
Toward commercial realization of quantum dot based white light-emitting diodes for general illumination
Ken T. Shimizu, Marcel Böhmer, Daniel Estrada, Sumit Gangwal, Stefan Grabowski, Helmut Bechtel, Edward Kang, Kenneth J. Vampola, Danielle Chamberlin, Oleg B. Shchekin, and Jyoti Bhardwaj
We demonstrate the first commercial production–ready white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for the general illumination market with red colloidal quantum dots (QDs) applied in an on–chip configuration. We show the red QDs with tunable peak emission and narrow full width at half-maximum in combination with a conventional phosphor material can lead to LED conversion efficiency improvements of 5% to 15% over commercial phosphor based LEDs at correlated color temperatures (CCTs) ranging from 5000 to 2700 K. Furthermore, the challenges associated with reliability under high temperature, high blue flux intensity, and high humidity operation have been overcome to meet consumer market requirements. Finally, a demonstrator lamp at 3000 K color temperature and 90 color rendering index (CRI) with QD based LEDs show a larger efficiency gain up to 17%, attributed to the reduced blue LED droop from the lower drive current and the lower heat sink temperature when compared to a standard phosphor based LED lamp output.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 13, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, A1 (2017)
Exploring the bounds of narrow-band quantum dot downconverted LEDs
Benjamin D. Mangum, Tiemo S. Landes, Brian R. Theobald, and Juanita N. Kurtin
Quantum dots are finding increasing commercial success in LED applications. While they have been used for several years in remote off-chip architectures for display applications, it is shown for the first time to our knowledge that quantum dots can withstand the demands of the on-chip architecture and therefore are capable of being used as a direct phosphor replacement in both lighting and display applications. It is well known that, to achieve improved color metrics in lighting as well as increased gamut in display technologies, it is highly desirable to utilize a downconverter with a narrow emission linewidth as well as a precisely tunable peak. This paper will discuss the results of on-chip use of quantum dots in a lighting product, and explore the opportunities and practical limits for improvement of various lighting and display metrics by use of this unique downconverter technology.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 23, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, A13 (2017)
Emissive displays with transfer-printed assemblies of 8  μm × 15  μm inorganic light-emitting diodes
Christopher A. Bower, Matthew A. Meitl, Brook Raymond, Erich Radauscher, Ronald Cok, Salvatore Bonafede, David Gomez, Tanya Moore, Carl Prevatte, Brent Fisher, Robert Rotzoll, George A. Melnik, Alin Fecioru, and António José Trindade
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 23, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, A23 (2017)
InAlGaN superluminescent diodes fabricated on patterned substrates: an alternative semiconductor broadband emitter
Anna Kafar, Szymon Stanczyk, Marcin Sarzynski, Szymon Grzanka, Jakub Goss, Irina Makarowa, Anna Nowakowska-Siwinska, Tadek Suski, and Piotr Perlin
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 28, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, A30 (2017)
Towards 10  Gb/s orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-based visible light communication using a GaN violet micro-LED
Mohamed Sufyan Islim, Ricardo X. Ferreira, Xiangyu He, Enyuan Xie, Stefan Videv, Shaun Viola, Scott Watson, Nikolaos Bamiedakis, Richard V. Penty, Ian H. White, Anthony E. Kelly, Erdan Gu, Harald Haas, and Martin D. Dawson
Visible light communication (VLC) is a promising solution to the increasing demands for wireless connectivity. Gallium nitride micro-sized light emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) are strong candidates for VLC due to their high bandwidths. Segmented violet micro-LEDs are reported in this work with electrical-to-optical bandwidths up to 655 MHz. An orthogonal frequency division multiplexing-based VLC system with adaptive bit and energy loading is demonstrated, and a data transmission rate of 11.95 Gb/s is achieved with a violet micro-LED, when the nonlinear distortion of the micro-LED is the dominant noise source of the VLC system. A record 7.91 Gb/s data transmission rate is reported below the forward error correction threshold using a single pixel of the segmented array when all the noise sources of the VLC system are present.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Mar. 28, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, A35 (2017)
Recombination mechanisms and thermal droop in AlGaN-based UV-B LEDs
Carlo De Santi, Matteo Meneghini, Desiree Monti, Johannes Glaab, Martin Guttmann, Jens Rass, Sven Einfeldt, Frank Mehnke, Johannes Enslin, Tim Wernicke, Michael Kneissl, Gaudenzio Meneghesso, and Enrico Zanoni
This paper reports a comprehensive analysis of the origin of the electroluminescence (EL) peaks and of the thermal droop in UV-B AlGaN-based LEDs. By carrying out spectral measurements at several temperatures and currents, (i) we extract information on the physical origin of the various spectral bands, and (ii) we develop a novel closed-form model based on the Shockley–Read–Hall theory and on the ABC rate equation that is able to reproduce the experimental data on thermal droop caused by non-radiative recombination through deep levels. In the samples under test, the three EL bands are ascribed to the following processes: band-to-band recombination in the quantum wells (main EL peak), a parasitic intra-bandgap radiative transition in the quantum well barriers, and a second defect-related radiative process in the p-AlGaN superlattice.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Mar. 31, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, A44 (2017)
Light-emitting diode technology and applications: introduction
Michael Krames, and Nicolas Grandjean
Spurred on by the invention of the blue light-emitting diode (LED) a quarter of a century ago, the LED industry has advanced dramatically and has revolutionized the signaling/signage, mobile and flat panel display, and more recently, general lighting markets. Indeed, LEDs now out-surpass in performance all conventional (e.g., incandescent, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge) light sources in general illumination applications. The question arises: what more is to be done Thus comes the thesis for this special issue on LEDs and applications. From the contributed articles, we learn that LED technology continues to evolve and transform itself not only within the existing applications but is also positioning for brand new applications to come, both of which are highlighted here.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Mar. 29, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, LED1 (2017)
Reviews
Physical Optics
Observation of tiny polarization rotation rate in total internal reflection via weak measurements
Chengquan Mi, Shizhen Chen, Xinxing Zhou, Kai Tian, Hailu Luo, and Shuangchun Wen
In this paper, we examine the tiny polarization rotation effect in total internal reflection due to the spin–orbit interaction of light. We find that the tiny polarization rotation rate will induce a geometric phase gradient, which can be regarded as the physical origin of photonic spin Hall effect. We demonstrate that the spin-dependent splitting in position space is related to the polarization rotation in momentum space, while the spin-dependent splitting in momentum space is attributed to the polarization rotation in position space. Furthermore, we introduce a quantum weak measurement to determine the tiny polarization rotation rate. The rotation rate in momentum space is obtained with 118 nm, which manifests itself as a spatial shift, and the rotation rate in position space is achieved with 38 μrad/λ, which manifests itself as an angular shift. The investigation of the polarization rotation characteristics will provide insights into the photonic spin Hall effect and will enable us to better understand the spin–orbit interaction of light.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 28, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 92 (2017)
Research Articles
Array Waveguide Devices
General coupled-mode analysis of a geometrically symmetric waveguide array with nonuniform gain and loss
Zhen-Zhen Liu, Qiang Zhang, Yuntian Chen, and Jun-Jun Xiao
The exceptional point (EP) is one of the typical properties of parity–time-symmetric systems, arising from modes coupling with identical resonant frequencies or propagation constants in optics. Here we show that in addition to two different modes coupling, a nonuniform distribution of gain and loss leads to an offset from the original propagation constants, including both real and imaginary parts, resulting in the absence of EP. These behaviors are examined by the general coupled-mode theory from the first principle of the Maxwell equations, which yields results that are more accurate than those from the classical coupled-mode theory. Numerical verification via the finite element method is provided. In the end, we present an approach to achieve lossless propagation in a geometrically symmetric waveguide array.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 09, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 57 (2017)
Fiber Optic Sensors
Liquid modified photonic crystal fiber for simultaneous temperature and strain measurement
Chupao Lin, Ying Wang, Yijian Huang, Changrui Liao, Zhiyong Bai, Maoxiang Hou, Zhengyong Li, and Yiping Wang
A liquid modified photonic crystal fiber (PCF) integrated with an embedded directional coupler and multi-mode interferometer is fabricated by infiltrating three adjacent air holes of the innermost layer with standard 1.48 refractive index liquids. The refractive index of the filled liquid is higher than that of background silica, which can not only support the transmitting rod modes but also the “liquid modified core” modes propagating between the PCF core and the liquid rods. Hence, the light propagating in the liquid modified core can be efficiently coupled into the satellite waveguides under the phase-matching conditions, resulting in a dramatic decrease of the resonant wavelength intensity. Furthermore, there is a multi-mode interference produced by modified core modes and rod modes. Such a compact (~0.91 cm) device integrated with an embedded coupler and interferometer is demonstrated for high-sensitivity simultaneous temperature (~14.72 nm/°C) and strain (~13.01 pm/μ ) measurement.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Mar. 06, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 129 (2017)
Fiber Optics
Analytical formulation for the bend loss in single-ring hollow-core photonic crystal fibers
Michael H. Frosz, Paul Roth, Mehmet C. Günendi, and Philip St.J. Russell
Understanding bend loss in single-ring hollow-core photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) is becoming of increasing importance as the fibers enter practical applications. While purely numerical approaches are useful, there is a need for a simpler analytical formalism that provides physical insight and can be directly used in the design of PCFs with low bend loss. We show theoretically and experimentally that a wavelength-dependent critical bend radius exists below which the bend loss reaches a maximum, and that this can be calculated from the structural parameters of a fiber using a simple analytical formula. This allows straightforward design of single-ring PCFs that are bend-insensitive for specified ranges of bend radius and wavelength. It also can be used to derive an expression for the bend radius that yields optimal higher-order mode suppression for a given fiber structure.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 23, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 88 (2017)
Lasers and Laser Optics
Nonlinear Optics
Experimental demonstration of transverse mode instability enhancement by a counter-pumped scheme in a 2  kW all-fiberized laser
Zebiao Li, Zhihua Huang, Xiaoyu Xiang, Xiaobao Liang, Honghuan Lin, Shanhui Xu, Zhongmin Yang, Jianjun Wang, and Feng Jing
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 13, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 77 (2017)
High-average-power, high-repetition-rate tunable terahertz difference frequency generation with GaSe crystal pumped by 2  μm dual-wavelength intracavity KTP optical parametric oscillator
Dexian Yan, Yuye Wang, Degang Xu, Pengxiang Liu, Chao Yan, Jia Shi, Hongxiang Liu, Yixin He, Longhuang Tang, Jianchen Feng, Jianqin Guo, Wei Shi, Kai Zhong, Yuen H. Tsang, and Jianquan Yao
We have demonstrated a high-average-power, high-repetition-rate optical terahertz (THz) source based on difference frequency generation (DFG) in the GaSe crystal by using a near-degenerate 2 μm intracavity KTP optical parametric oscillator as the pump source. The power of the 2 μm dual-wavelength laser was up to 12.33 W with continuous tuning ranges of 1988.0–2196.2 nm/2278.4–2065.6 nm for two waves. Different GaSe cystal lengths have been experimentally investigated for the DFG THz source in order to optimize the THz output power, which was in good agreement with the theoretical analysis. Based on an 8 mm long GaSe crystal, the THz wave was continuously tuned from 0.21 to 3 THz. The maximum THz average power of 1.66 μW was obtained at repetition rate of 10 kHz under 1.48 THz. The single pulse energy amounted to 166 pJ and the conversion efficiency from 2 μm laser to THz output was 1.68×10 6. The signal-to-noise ratio of the detected THz voltage was 23 dB. The acceptance angle of DFG in the GaSe crystal was measured to be 0.16°.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 20, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 82 (2017)
Optical Vortices
Polarization evolution of vector beams generated by q-plates
Weixing Shu, Xiaohui Ling, Xiquan Fu, Yachao Liu, Yougang Ke, and Hailu Luo
The polarization evolution of vector beams (VBs) generated by q-plates is investigated theoretically and experimentally. An analytical model is developed for the VB created by a general quarter-wave q-plate based on vector diffraction theory. It is found that the polarization distribution of VBs varies with position and the value q. In particular, for the incidence of circular polarization, the exit vector vortex beam has polarization states that cover the whole surface of the Poincaré sphere, thereby constituting a full Poincaré beam. For the incidence of linear polarization, the VB is not cylindrical but specularly symmetric, and exhibits an azimuthal spin splitting. These results are in sharp contrast with those derived by the commonly used model, i.e., regarding the incident light as a plane wave. By implementing q-plates with dielectric metasurfaces, further experiments validate the theoretical results.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 09, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 64 (2017)
Resonators
Experimental observation of Fano-like resonance in a whispering-gallery-mode microresonator in aqueous environment
Yan-Lei Shang, Ming-Yong Ye, and Xiu-Min Lin
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Mar. 01, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 119 (2017)
Silicon Photonics
Hybrid optical wavelength demultiplexer and power combiner for TWDM PON
Chunsheng Li, Xinyou Qiu, and Xun Li
In this paper, we have proposed a hybrid optical wavelength demultiplexer and power combiner for a hybrid time- and wavelength-division multiplexing (TWDM) passive optical network (PON), i.e., a single passive optical device that functions as a 1×N wavelength demultiplexer for distributing the downstream signal in multiple wavelengths from the optical line terminal (OLT) to the N optical network units (ONUs), and simultaneously as an N×1 power combiner for collecting the upstream signal in the same wavelength from the N ONUs to the OLT. Through a design example of a 32 channel hybrid optical wavelength demultiplexer and power combiner on the silicon-on-insulator platform, our numerical simulation result shows that the insertion loss and adjacent channel crosstalk of the downstream wavelength demultiplexer are as low as 4.6 and 16.3 dB, respectively, while the insertion loss and channel non-uniformity of the upstream power combiner can reach 3.5 and 2.1 dB, respectively. The proposed structure can readily be extended to other material platforms such as the silica-based planar lightwave circuit. Its fabrication process is fully compatible with standard clean-room technologies such as photo-lithography and etching, without any complicated and/or costly approach involved.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 28, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 97 (2017)
Compact, submilliwatt, 2 × 2 silicon thermo-optic switch based on photonic crystal nanobeam cavities
Huanying Zhou, Ciyuan Qiu, Xinhong Jiang, Qingming Zhu, Yu He, Yong Zhang, Yikai Su, and Richard Soref
We propose and experimentally demonstrate a 2×2 thermo-optic (TO) crossbar switch implemented by dual photonic crystal nanobeam (PCN) cavities within a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. By thermally tuning the refractive index of silicon, the resonance wavelength of the PCN cavities can be red-shifted. With the help of the ultrasmall mode volumes of the PCN cavities, only ~0.16 mW power is needed to change the switching state. With a spectral passband of 0.09 nm at the 1583.75 nm operation wavelength, the insertion loss (IL) and crosstalk (CT) performances were measured as IL(bar)= 0.2 dB, CT(bar)= 15 dB, IL(cross)= 1.5 dB, and CT(cross)= 15 dB. Furthermore, the thermal tuning efficiency of the fabricated device is as high as 1.23 nm/mW.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 28, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 108 (2017)
Electrical nonlinearity in silicon modulators based on reversed PN junctions
Sheng Yu, and Tao Chu
The electrical nonlinearity of silicon modulators based on reversed PN junctions was found to severely limit the linearity of the modulators. This effect, however, was inadvertently neglected in previous studies. Considering the electrical nonlinearity in simulation, a 32.2 dB degradation in the CDR3 (i.e., the suppression ratio between the fundamental signal and intermodulation distortion) of the modulator was observed at a modulation speed of 12 GHz, and the spurious free dynamic range was simultaneously degraded by 17.4 dB. It was also found that the linearity of the silicon modulator could be improved by reducing the series resistance of the PN junction. The frequency dependence of the linearity due to the electrical nonlinearity was also investigated.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Mar. 06, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 124 (2017)
Single-drive high-speed lumped depletion-type modulators toward 10  fJ/bit energy consumption
Xinbai Li, Fenghe Yang, Fang Zhong, Qingzhong Deng, Jurgen Michel, and Zhiping Zhou
Reduction of modulator energy consumption to 10 fJ/bit is essential for the sustainable development of communication systems. Lumped modulators might be a viable solution if instructed by a complete theory system. Here, we present a complete analytical electro-optic response theory, energy consumption analysis, and eye diagrams on absolute scales for lumped modulators. Consequently the speed limitation is understood and alleviated by single-drive configuration, and comprehensive knowledge into the energy dependence on structural parameters significantly reduces energy consumption. The results show that silicon modulation energy as low as 80.8 and 21.5 fJ/bit can be achieved at 28 Gbd under 50 and 10 Ω impedance drivers, respectively. A 50 Gbd modulation is also shown to be possible. The analytical models can be extended to lumped modulators on other material platforms and offer a promising solution to the current challenges of modulation energy reduction.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Mar. 23, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 134 (2017)
Surface Plasmons
High sensitivity D-shaped hole fiber temperature sensor based on surface plasmon resonance with liquid filling
Sijun Weng, Li Pei, Jianshuai Wang, Tigang Ning, and Jing Li
A high sensitivity D-shaped hole double-cladding fiber temperature sensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is designed and investigated by a full-vector finite element method. Within the D-shaped hole double-cladding fiber, the hollow D-section is coated with gold film and then injected in a high thermo-optic coefficient liquid to realize the high temperature sensitivity for the fiber SPR temperature sensor. The numerical simulation results show that the peaking loss of the D-shaped hole double-cladding fiber SPR is hugely influenced by the distance between the D-shaped hole and fiber core and by the thickness of the gold film, but the temperature sensitivity is almost insensitive to the above parameters. When the thermo-optic coefficient is 2.8×10 4/°C, the thickness of the gold film is 47 nm, and the distance between the D-shaped hole and fiber core is 5 μm, the temperature sensitivity of the D-shaped hole fiber SPR sensor can reach to 3.635 nm/°C.
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 28, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 103 (2017)
Gap induced mode evolution under the asymmetric structure in a plasmonic resonator system
Yong-Pan Gao, Tie-Jun Wang, Cong Cao, and Chuan Wang
Photonics Research
  • Publication Date: Feb. 28, 2017
  • Vol. 5, Issue 2, 113 (2017)