Bragg reflection waveguide lasers for nonlinear conversion

Nima Zareian

Helmy Group, Photonics

Abstract:

Lasers have influenced nearly every aspect of human life since their introduction over five decades ago. From fiber-optic communications to laser machining, medical treatments, and CD and DVD technologies, lasers have been used in various applications all over the world. Gas, solid-state, fiber, and semiconductor lasers are some of most dominant coherent sources of light. However, such sources do not offer vastly tunable light output and are limited by their material physical properties. In addition to the lasing mechanism, widely-tunable coherent radiation of light can be generated through nonlinear conversion and parametric processes. While optical parametric oscillators utilize bulk optical elements or fibers, recent developments in the field of integrated photonics usher in a new era of integrated electrically-injected optical parametric oscillators which utilize second-order nonlinearities for frequency conversion.

Bragg reflection waveguides (BRWs) are capable of guiding modes by two distinct guiding mechanisms: guiding based on total internal reflection and Bragg reflection. Using this characteristics, BRWs have been proven to be great candidates for nonlinear conversion through second-order nonlinearities. In this talk, we will review some applications of Bragg reflection waveguide lasers in nonlinear conversion.

Biography:

Nima Zareian received his MSc degree in electrical engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. He is currently working toward the PhD degree in University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, in the in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research interests include semiconductor optoelectronic devices, integrated nonlinear optics, compound semiconductor diode lasers, and periodic structures.​