With the recent resurgence of interest in double negative (DNG) materials and the reported construction of a metamaterial with DNG characteristics, applications of these materials become feasible and examination of the behavior of systems and devices a potentially fruitful topic. The most promising area of research, upon inquiry into past work related to DNG materials, proves to be dielectric waveguides. The present investigation, then, focuses on the inclusion of DNG materials in various planar dielectric waveguide configurations. These waveguides involve a core region surrounded by various numbers of symmetrically-placed cladding layers. The present investigation involves the review of the electromagnetic properties of DNG materials by a thorough analysis based on Maxwell's equations. The use of a negative index of refraction for these materials is justified. These results are then used to perform a frequency domain analysis of an N-layer formulation for dielectric waveguides which is general for any combination of DNG and double positive (DPS) materials. This N-layer formulation allows for the derivation of the characteristic equation, which relates the operating frequency and the propagation constant solutions, along with the cutoff conditions and field distributions. A causal material model which obeys the Kramers-Kronig relations and which is based on measurements of a realized metamaterial is studied and used in the investigation in order to produce realistic results. The N-layer formulation is then applied to the three-layer (slab) waveguide and known results are reviewed. A new interpretation of intramodal degeneracy is given, whereby degenerate modes are split into two separate modes, one with positive phase velocity and one with negative phase velocity but both with a causal positive group (energy) velocity. Next, the formulation is applied to the five-layer waveguide. New behaviors are observed in this case which are not seen for the three-layer waveguide, including the return of the fundamental mode in some cases, whereas it is never present for the three-layer guide, the absence of certain higher-order modes in some situations and the appearance of new modes. Additionally, for some configurations the order of the even and odd modes in the DNG frequency range is found to be reversed from that of conventional waveguides. The photonic crystal waveguide, which involves an infinite number of periodically placed cladding layers, is next studied using ray analysis, and a slight variation of the N-layer formulation is used to compare these results with those of the pseudo-photonic crystal waveguide. The pseudo-photonic crystal waveguide is identical to the photonic crystal waveguide with the exception that it has only large but finite number of layers. It is seen that the results of these two cases are similar for conventional modes, but the photonic crystal waveguide allows for new modes called photonic crystal modes which are inaccessible through conventional waveguides. Interesting phenomena such as mode crossings among the photonic crystal modes are observed and discussed. Using the results from the frequency domain analysis of the five-layer waveguide, a Fourier transform technique is used to study pulse propagation in a waveguide containing DNG materials. A Gaussian pulse is launched in the waveguide over the frequency range covering a portion of the positive- and negative-phase-velocity fundamental transverse electric (TE) modes. Splitting of the input pulse into two separate pulses is observed, where both of these new pulses have a causal, positive energy velocity. The interpretation of intramodal degeneracy given in previous discussions is buttressed with evidence from this portion of the investigation, thus completing the analysis and bringing the present study to its conclusion. / Ph. D.

Propagation properties of linearly tapered parabolic-index optical waveguides are investigated. Tapers with planar (two-dimensional) and fiber (three-dimensional) geometries are considered. A ray optics approach is used in the analysis, assuming that the characteristic dimensions of tapered waveguides are small compared to the wavelength of light. Closed form analytical solutions are obtained for ray trajectories in tapers with small slope and small index difference between the core and cladding. To assess the accuracy of analytical solutions, exact ray trajectories in planar waveguides are determined using numerical techniques and compared to those obtained from the analytical method. The agreement between the analytical and numerical solutions is excellent. It is observed that ray trajectories exhibit the behavior of modulated sinusoidal functions with decreasing amplitude and period as light travels toward the smaller end of the taper. This illustrates the power concentrating capability of the taper. Applications of these graded-index tapers when used to couple power from light sources to planar and fiber waveguides and when they are used to connect two waveguides of different core sizes are addressed. Coupling efficiencies for light source coupling and radiation loss of tapers when used to connect two dissimilar waveguides are calculated. Numerical results for example cases are provided. A novel application of the taper as collimated beam concentrator is also proposed. / Master of Science

High performance RF/mixed signal systems require new interconnect strategies to combine high frequency (microwave/mm-wave) circuitry with silicon mixed-signal and baseband digital processing. In such systems, heterogeneous vertical integration, in which circuits in different technologies can be stacked on top of each other within the system architecture, can reduce the overall system size and power consumption. Chip stacking also enables optimally-performing heterogeneous systems, because each level of the stack can consist of components fabricated in their most suited device or substrate technology. Two novel approaches for the vertical interconnection of heterogeneous integrated systems are proposed in this work. These approaches are related to flip-chip bonding techniques used in Radio-Frequency (RF)/microwave integrated circuits. The first proposed approach involves an interlocking mechanical structure that supports flip-chip assembled Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs). Photolithographically patterned thick-film SU-8 structures are applied to both the chip and the carrier such that the chip self-aligns into place and mates with the carrier. Gold bumps embedded within the structures electrically connect the chip pads to the carrier pads. This method is demonstrated through the assembly of a SiGe power amplifier MMIC onto a high resistivity silicon carrier. The second proposed approach involves vertical interconnects consisting of room temperature liquid-state metals. The fluid nature of the liquid bumps allows them to be robust in the presence of thermo-mechanical stresses, such as Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) mismatch between the interconnected chips. SU-8 structures are used to form a shaping mold on the bottom carrier that contains the liquid metal. Gold posts are electroplated on the top chip, then mated with the SU-8 mold, thereby making contact with the liquid metal to form the electrical continuity. For each of these proposed methods, design and fabrication considerations are discussed in detail. RF measurements on prototype structures up to Ka band are performed to verify the functionality of the proposed methods. Given the results of these proof-of-concept efforts, electrical characteristics of the materials used in these methods are determined, and recommendations are provided for future improvements and refinements to these two techniques. / Master of Science

A new approach is presented that relies upon 3D electromagnetic simulation results to characterize the complex permittivity of homogeneous dielectric materials. By modeling the test fixture and obtaining a set of simulated S-parameters through an iterative solution process, the dielectric constant and loss tangent can be found. With further development, the 3D simulation results may be used to replace the need for complex theoretical analysis of the measurement geometry. The method is applied to an X-band rectangular waveguide setup, for which the theoretical S-parameters can be readily calculated. A Teflon sample, for which the dielectric properties are well-known, is used for all measurements and calculations. After presenting a detailed derivation to obtain the theoretical S-parameters, the Teflon sample is measured and compared to the theoretical results, from which the comparison shows great promise. An inverse solution algorithm is used to solve for the material properties from the experimental S-parameters. Low-frequency measurement of the Teflon sheet was performed by using a dielectric capacitor test fixture. The results show the effect of an air gap between the electrode and sample, producing serious errors. / Master of Science

Ce travail de thèse présente une étude théorique, numérique et expérimentale de l’intégration sur un guide d’onde diélectrique de chaînes de nanoparticules d’or supportant des résonances « plasmon de surface localisé ». Les guides d’onde à plasmon de surface localisé procurent un confinement sub-longueur d’onde de la lumière, ce qui permet d’envisager la réalisation de composants optiques ultra-compacts. Cependant, leurs pertes optiques élevées restreignent leur application à de courtes distances de propagation, contrairement aux guides d’onde diélectriques. Une combinaison judicieuse des deux types de guide doit donc permettre de bénéficier de leurs avantages respectifs. Dans un premier temps, nous avons étudié théoriquement les propriétés des chaînes des nanoparticules grâce à un modèle analytique basé sur l’approximation de dipôles ponctuels couplés, que nous avons développé. Cette étude a permis de déterminer la forme et les dimensions des nanoparticules qui ont ensuite été introduites dans un logiciel de FDTD pour simuler le couplage entre la chaîne de nanoparticules et le guide diélectrique (SOI ou en Si3N4). De cette étude numérique, nous avons déduit les géométries des structures à fabriquer. Les structures réalisées ont été caractérisées à l’aide d’un banc de transmission résolue spectralement, mis en place pendant cette thèse, et d’un système de mesures en champ proche optique en collaboration avec le LNIO (Troyes). Pour la première fois, nous avons montré expérimentalement les propriétés d’une chaîne courte de nanoparticules intégrée sur un guide SOI, ainsi que le phénomène de guides couplés entre une chaîne longue de nanoparticules et un guide SOI. Une valeur record de la constante de couplage a été obtenue, et ce, aux longueurs d’onde des télécoms (proche infrarouge). L’énergie lumineuse transportée par le mode TE du guide SOI peut ainsi être entièrement transférée au guide plasmonique en 4 ou 5 nanoparticules, soit une distance de propagation de moins de 600 nm. Nous avons également étudié les propriétés de réseaux de Bragg à base de plasmon de surface localisé en confrontant les résultats de mesures de transmission résolue spectralement aux résultats théoriques d’un modèle analytique basé à la fois sur l’approximation de dipôle ponctuel en régime quasi-statique et la théorie des modes couplés. Ces travaux ouvrent la voie à des applications de pinces optiques, de capteurs ou de spaser, qui bénéficieront de l’intégration de nanoparticules métalliques dans les circuits photoniques. / This PhD work presents a theoretical, numerical and experimental study of the integration of a gold nanoparticle chain supporting "localized surface plasmon resonances" on a dielectric waveguide. The localized surface plasmon allows a sub-wavelength confinement of light which could lead to the achievement of ultra-compact optical components. However, the high level of optical losses restricts their application to short propagating distances unlike dielectric waveguides. A judicious combination of both types of guides should therefore allow taking profit of their respective advantages. Firstly, we have theoretically studied the properties of nanoparticles chains using an analytical model that we have developed following the coupled dipoles approximation. This has helped us to determine the shape and size of nanoparticles, which have been further used in a FDTD software, to simulate the coupling between the chain and the dielectric waveguide (SOI or Si3N4). Using this numerical study, we have deduced the geometries of structures to be fabricated. The realized structures have been characterized using a spectrally resolved transmission set-up, built during this thesis, and an optical near field measurement set-up (collaboration LNIO Troyes). For the first time, we have experimentally shown the properties of short nanoparticle chains integrated on a SOI waveguide as well as the existence of a coupled waveguide phenomenon between long nanoparticle chains and SOI waveguides. A record value has been obtained for the coupling constant at telecom wavelengths (near infrared). The light energy carried by the TE mode of the SOI waveguide can be completely transferred into the plasmonic waveguide via the first 4 or 5 nanoparticles of the chain, which means a distance of less than 600 nm. We have also studied the properties of Bragg gratings based on localized surface plasmon. Experimental results from spectrally resolved transmission measurements have been compared to theoretical results obtained from an analytical model based on the point dipole approximation in quasi-static regime, on one hand, and using the coupled mode theory, on the other hand. This work opens the way for applications to optical tweezers, sensors or spasers, which will benefit from the integration of metal nanoparticles in photonic circuits.

The objective of this research is to investigate the use of laser direct writing to micro-pattern low loss passive optical channel waveguide devices using a new hybrid organic/inorganic polymer. Review of literature shows previous methods of optical waveguide device patterning as well as application of other non-polymer materials. System setup and design of the waveguide components are discussed. Results show that laser direct writing of the hybrid polymer produce single mode interconnects with a loss of less 1dB/cm.

No description available.

The thesis deals with broadband antennas for measurement purposes. A ridged horn antenna has been selected for this concept, designed for the frequency range 0.9 GHz to 9 GHz. This work contains general theoretical description of antennas and further it focuses on a specific design of the ridged horn antenna, beginning with the calculation of its dimensions, modeling and optimization to obtain desired antenna properties. Finally, the antenna was constructed and measured. The reflection factor s11

Silicon photonics (SiP) has evolved into a mature platform for cost-effective low power compact integrated photonic microsystems for many applications. There is a looming capacity crunch for telecommunications infrastructure to overcome the data-hungry future, driven by streaming and the exponential increase in data traffic from consumer-driven products. To increase data capacity, researchers are now looking at the wavelength window of the thulium-doped fiber amplifier (TDFA), centered near 2 µm as an attractive new transmission window for optical communications, motivated by the demonstrations of low loss, low nonlinearity, and high bandwidth transmission. Large-scale implementation of SiP telecommunication infrastructure will require light sources (lasers) and amplifiers to generate signals and boost transmitted and/or received signals, respectively. Silicon (Si) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) have become the leading photonic integrated circuit (PIC) material platforms, due to their low-cost and wafer-scale production of high-performance circuits. Silicon does however have a number of limitations as a photonic material, including that it is not an ideal light-emitting/amplifying material. This proposed research pertains to the fabrication of on-chip silicon and silicon nitride lasers and amplifiers to be used in a newly accessible optical communications window of the TDFA band, which is a significant step towards compact PICs for the telecommunication networks. Tellurium oxide (TeO2) is an interesting host material due to its large linear and non-linear refractive indices, low material losses and large rare-earth dopant solubility showing good performance for compact low-loss waveguides and on-chip light sources and amplifiers. Chapter 1 provides an overview of silicon photonics in the context of particularly rare earth lasers and amplifiers, operating at extended wavelengths enabled by the Thulium doped fiber amplifier. Chapter 2 presents a theoretical performance of waveguides and microresonators as the efficient structure for laser and amplifiers applications designed for optimized use in Erbium and Thulium doped fiber amplifier wavelength bands. Then spectroscopic study thulium (Tm3+) has been studied as the rare earth element for Thulium doped fiber amplifier wavelength bands. Chapter 3 presents an experimental study of TeO2:Tm3+ coated Si3N4 waveguide amplifiers with internal net gains of up to 15 dB total in a 5-cm long spiral waveguide. Chapter 4 provides a study of TeO2:Tm3+ -coated Si3N4 waveguide lasers with up to 16 mW double-sided on-chip output power. Chapter 5 presents an experimental study of low loss and high-quality factor silicon microring resonators coated with TeO2 for active, passive, and nonlinear applications. Chapter 6 represents the first demonstration of an integrated rare-earth silicon laser, with high performance, including single-mode emission, a lasing threshold of 4 mW, and bidirectional on-chip output powers of around 1 mW. Further results with a different design are presented showing lasers with more than 2 mW of double-sided on-chip output power, threshold pump powers of < 1 mW and lasing at wavelengths over a range of > 100 nm. Importantly, a simple, low-cost design was used which is compatible with silicon photonics foundry processes and enables wafer scale integration of such lasers in SiP PICs using robust materials. Chapter 7 summarizes the thesis and provides paths for future work. / Dissertation / Doctor of Engineering (DEng)

<p>The main contributions of this thesis include two points: firstly, we originally establish Complex STM to semi-analytically calculate the mode profiles of multi-layer planar waveguide terminated with both PML and PRB ; secondly, although CMMM has been generally applied to the simulation of waveguide facets, Bragg gratings, etc[52-53], we for the first time demonstrate that CMMM can also be utilized for the modeling of couplings of radiation field outgoing perpendicularly to the waveguide axis with an incident wave launched in the examples of high-index-contrast waveguide crossings and corners. CMMM is proved to be able to estimate the field profiles and power flows accurately through the validation with FDTD.</p> / <p>Optical waveguides are basic building blocks of high-density photonic integrated circuits and play crucial roles in optical access networks, biomedical system, sensors and so on. Various kinds of dielectric waveguides apply the total internal reflection condition to transmit optical field [9] and even more complicated structures based on waveguide interconnects, Bragg grating, photonic crystals are actively developed by corporations and academic institutes. Especially, the fast developing pace of Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD), Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) and other fabrication techniques has predicted the increasing complication and thus more advanced function of modern optics integrated circuits. Under such circumstances, convenient and accurate modeling and simulation schemes are necessary for the exploration, designing and optimization of photonic devices, systems and networks before the time-consuming and expensive fabrication process.</p> <p>The thesis summarizes several frequency-domain modeling schemes for the calculation of mode profile or beam propagation in 2D dielectric waveguide. The thesis mainly covers conventional Smooth Transition Method (STM), High Order Finite Difference (HOFD) scheme, Complex STM, and Complex Mode Matching Method (CMMM) based on the 2D waveguide model terminated with Perfect Matching Layer (PML) and Perfect Reflection Boundary (PRB). The mode spectrums and modal patterns obtained from Complex STM are compared with those of HOFD, and the simulation of waveguide crossings and corners with CMMM is validated with Finite-Difference-Time-Domain (FDTD) Method.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)