Microphotonic Elements

Research in the electromagnetic design of microphotonic elements offers potential for new nanoscale electromagnetic field manipulations, light-matter interactions, plasmonic and metamaterial effects, and sensing modalities. As a result, some of the most interesting physics extends from single devices. Example structures that I developed as a graduate student at MIT enabled two on-chip electromagnetic field manipulations, the ability to rotate polarization states through structural chirality and split polarization states through mode evolution along with the ability to filter optical signals with high-fidelity through coupled microring-resonator filters. Moreover, rigorous electromagnetic design led to tolerant structures, enabling the first demonstration of a polarization independent microphotonic circuit. Finally, through a careful manipulation of Maxwell’s equations, we discovered the only radiation-free nanophotonic cavities without a complete photonic bandgap. At Sandia, I continued a rigorous design approach developing new, active microphotonic elements, including the smallest and lowest power silicon modulator, first high-speed silicon bandpass switch and a new resonator class (adiabatic microring-resonators) along with a new thermal detector that couples mid/long-wave infrared radiation to a near-infrared cavity through a nanophotonic absorbing element. In each case, rigorous electromagnetic design, has, and will continue to play a pivotal role in my research. Much as the transistor drove microelectronics, microphotonic elements will drive new circuits, systems, and networks.