According to the report of the Physicist Organization Network on the 16th, researchers at the National Physical Laboratory in the United Kingdom have developed an all-optical diode that can be used in miniature photonic circuits and promises to provide inexpensive and efficient light for micro-nano photonic chips. Diodes, which have important implications for photonic chips and photonic communications.
Xiao Yunfeng, a researcher at the Institute of Modern Optics at Peking University, explained to the reporter of the Science and Technology Daily: “Diodes can transmit current in one direction, but they block reverse current. They are basic components of almost all electronic circuits, but existing optical diodes need to be large. The magneto-optic crystal block has severely hindered its integration at the micro/nano scale and has become one of the major challenges in the field of integrated photonics.
In the new study, the team led by Dr. Pascal Del Haye emitted light into a microresonator (glass microring on a silicon chip). Although the microring diameter was only comparable to human hair, it allowed light to Within the micro-ring, it propagates back and forth. Using the enhanced optical Kerr effect of the micro-ring, the team created a new all-optical diode. The new diode can only transmit light in one direction and can be integrated into micro-nano photonic circuits. Therefore, Overcoming the limitation that diodes require large magneto-optic crystals.
Del Haye emphasized: 'These diodes are expected to provide low-cost and efficient photodiodes for microchips. They will also pave the way for new integrated photonic circuits that can be used for optical calculations, and may also have a significant impact on future photonic communication systems.'
It is reported that Chinese scientists have also achieved good results in this area. For example, Dr. Dong Chunhua from the University of Science and Technology of China used the micro-cavity optical interaction to obtain all-optically controlled nonreciprocal microcavity devices, including all-optical diodes and circulators. Wait.
Xiao Yunfeng said: 'Although the latest research is not the first all-optical diode, the device obtained has the characteristics of simple operation and high isolation. It is a very promising solution. Of course, similar to the existing all-optical diode scheme, it is based on resonance. The all-optical diodes of the cavity are often limited in bandwidth and can only operate in a narrow resonant mode. Further research is needed in the future to break through the limitations.
