Researchers at the National Physics Laboratory in the UK have developed an all-optical diode. The new diode can be used in miniature photonic circuits. It is expected to provide inexpensive and efficient photodiodes for micro-nano photonic chips, and thus for photonic chips and photonic communications. The field has an important influence.
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. It is a basic component 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 (a 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 interaction to obtain all-optically controlled non-reciprocal 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 cavity all-optical diodes often have bandwidth limitations and can only work in narrow resonance modes. Further research is needed in the future to break through the limitations.
