Systems and methods for efficient optical frequency conversion with integrated optical systems

US10599007B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Regents of the University of Colorado, a Body Corporate · US
• The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce National Institite of Standards and Technology · US

Inventors

• Eric Stanton · Boulder, US
• Jeffrey Chiles · Orlando, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 2019
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2020
• Expiry date: Jul 17, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B2006/12178
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present technology provide a novel architecture for optical frequency conversion in a waveguide which can be applied to any suitable nonlinear waveguide material and any wavelength. In accordance with some embodiments, phase-matched bends can be used to increase the nonlinear interaction length. For example, the device can begin with a straight waveguide section with a width designed for phase-matching. When the straight waveguide section approaches the end of the chip, a bending waveguide section allows the waveguide to meander back in the opposite direction. Various embodiments of the bend can have a wider or narrower width to eliminate phase-matching for second harmonic generation (SHG) and instead provide a 2π phase-shift between the pump and signal light. Therefore, at the end of the bend, the pump and signal light are in-phase and a phase-matched width will continue the SHG process.