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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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INTREPID program: technology and architecture for next-generation, energy-efficient, hyper-scale data centers [Invited]

The INTREPID program is developing power-efficient coherent optics for package-level integration with future switch integrated circuits as a path to realizing higher-radix switches for flatter networks. The link architecture is underpinned by coherent quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) polarization-multiplex transceivers at 200 Gb/s per λ <#comment/> , further enhanced with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to enable energy-efficient 800 or 1600 Gb/s inter-switch fiber connections. The technology is compatible with conventional three-level data center designs as well as a two-level data center design introduced here, which includes an added layer of passive, arrayed waveguide grating routers (AWGRs) or WDM circuit switches to further improve the cost, energy efficiency, and latency of the network.

Saleh, Adel A. M. (ORCID:0000000182451136)↗

High density optical waveguide using hybrid spiral pattern

A hybrid spiral waveguide geometry is proposed that exhibits essentially zero curvature (i.e., infinite bend radius) at the center of the spiral (similar to a Fermat spiral), with the curvature then increasing in value as the spiral moves outward. Advantageously, as the spiral moves away from the center, the spacing between adjacent waveguides quickly approaches a constant value (similar to an Archimedean spiral). This hybrid spiral structure has been found to allow for a high density waveguide to be created with lower loss and requiring a smaller size than many conventional spiral configurations and finds use in optical delay lines, amplifiers and arrayed waveguide gratings.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Structured illumination of a sub-wavelength hollow-waveguide array

A hollow-waveguide array with sub-wavelength dimensions was suggested earlier as a space-variant polarization converter. For optimum light transmission through the array, periodic structured illumination is generated by using a dielectric grating with the same period. In this paper various numerical simulations are performed. The transmission depends on numerous parameters. Particularly, it is shown how the grating can be optimized and how longitudinal and lateral displacements influence the results. For the considered configuration it is found that the transmission can be increased by factors up to 1.46 (TE) and 1.35 (TM) compared to a uniform illumination of the hollow waveguide array.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Visible (400- to 700-nm) chirped-grating-coupled waveguide spectrometer

An integrable on-chip spectrometer, based on a transversely-chirped-grating waveguide-coupler for the 400- to 700-nm visible spectral range is demonstrated. For a fixed angle of incidence, the coupling wavelength is dependent on the local grating period and the waveguide structure. The transversely-chirped-input grating is fabricated on a SiO 2 -Si 3 N 4 -SiO 2 waveguide atop a Si substrate by interferometric lithography in two sections on a single silicon substrate. A uniform period grating, separated from the input coupler by a propagation region, is provided for out-coupling to a 2048 element CMOS detector array. The incident light with wavelength spanning 400- to 700-nm is coupled into waveguide at 33.5° through the chirped grating coupler. A resolution of ∼ 1.2 nm is demonstrated without any signal processing reconstruction.

Wang, Xuemei↗

Scalable free-space photonic antennas in foundry SOI silicon photonic platforms

We present a flexible, scalable, and low-noise design scheme for coupling free-space light into a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) electronic-photonic integrated circuit. The proposed scheme utilizes arrays of grating couplers with compact, inverse-designed power combining networks to couple a distributed optical collection area to a single output waveguide, forming a photonic antenna. Fabrication density compliance is maintained regardless of the antenna size, and the collection area can be scaled while maintaining a fixed noise floor. Using experimental grating array antennas fabricated in the GF45CLO platform, we demonstrate up to a 6.7× increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a lens-less monolithic free-space photonic receiver using a 4×4 grating array.

Rollinson, John (ORCID:0000000157130832)↗

Performance demonstration of vacuum microwave components critical for the operation of the ITER low-field side reflectometer

Final design studies in preparation for manufacturing have been performed for functional components of the vacuum portion of the ITER Low-Field Side Reflectometer (LFSR). These components consist of an antenna array, electron cyclotron heating (ECH) protection mirrors, phase calibration mirrors, and vacuum windows. Evaluation of these components was conducted at the LFSR test facility and DIII-D. The antenna array consists of six corrugated-waveguide antennas for simultaneous profile, fluctuation, and Doppler measurements. A diffraction grating, incorporated into the plasma-facing miter bend, provides protection of sensitive components from stray ECH at 170 GHz. For in situ phase calibration of the LFSR profile reflectometer, an embossed mirror is incorporated into the adjacent miter bend. Measurements of the radiated beam profile indicate that these components have a small, acceptable effect on mode conversion and beam quality. Baseline transmission characteristics of the dual-disk vacuum window are obtained and are used to guide ongoing developments. Preliminary simulations indicate that a surface-relief structure on the window surfaces can greatly improve transmission. The workability of real-time phase measurements was demonstrated on the DIII-D profile reflectometer. The new automated real-time analysis agrees well with the standard post-processing routine.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Designs for scalable construction of hybrid quantum photonic cavities

Nanophotonic resonators are central to numerous applications, from efficient spin–photon interfaces to laser oscillators and precision sensing. A leading approach consists of photonic crystal (PhC) cavities, which have been realized in a wide range of dielectric materials. However, translating proof-of-concept devices into a functional system entails a number of additional challenges, inspiring new approaches that combine resonators with wavelength-scale confinement and high quality factors; scalable integration with integrated circuits and photonic circuits; electrical or mechanical cavity tuning; and, in many cases, a need for heterogeneous integration with functional materials such as III–V semiconductors or diamond color centers for spin–photon interfaces. Here we introduce a concept that generates a finely tunable PhC cavity at a selected wavelength between two heterogeneous optical materials whose properties satisfy the above requirements. The cavity is formed by stamping a hard-to-process material with simple waveguide geometries on top of an easy-to-process material consisting of dielectric grating mirrors and active tuning capability. We simulate our concept for the particularly challenging design problem of multiplexed quantum repeaters based on arrays of cavity-coupled diamond color centers, achieving theoretically calculated unloaded quality factors of 106, mode volumes as small as 1.2(λ/neff)3, and maintaining >60% total on-chip collection efficiency of fluorescent photons. We further introduce a method of low-power piezoelectric tuning of these hybrid diamond cavities, simulating optical resonance shifts up to ∼760 GHz and color center fluorescence tuning of 5 GHz independent of cavity tuning. These results will motivate integrated photonic cavities toward larger scale systems-compatible designs.

Greenspon, Andrew S. (ORCID:0000000296317568)↗

Beating absorption in solid-state high harmonics

Since the new millennium coherent extreme ultra-violet and soft x-ray radiation has revolutionized the understanding of dynamical physical, chemical and biological systems at the electron’s natural timescale. Unfortunately, coherent laser-based upconversion of infrared photons to vacuum-ultraviolet and soft x-ray high-order harmonics in gaseous, liquid and solid targets is notoriously inefficient. In dense nonlinear media, the limiting factor is strong re-absorption of the generated high-energy photons. Here we overcome this limitation by generating high-order harmonics from a periodic array of thin one-dimensional crystalline silicon ridge waveguides. Adding vacuum gaps between the ridges avoids the high absorption loss of the bulk and results in a ~ 100-fold increase of the extraction depth. As the grating period is varied, each high harmonic shows a different and marked modulation, indicating their waveguiding in the vacuum slots with reduced absorption. Looking ahead, our results enable bright on-chip coherent short-wavelength sources and may extend the usable spectral range of traditional nonlinear crystals to their absorption windows. Potential applications include on-chip chemically-sensitive spectro-nanoscopy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Collection of fluorescence from an ion using trap-integrated photonics

Spontaneously emitted photons are entangled with the electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom of the emitting atom, so interference and measurement of these photons can entangle separate matter-based quantum systems as a resource for quantum information processing. Since confinement in a single-mode facilitates the photon interference needed for generating entanglement, the dipole emission patterns relevant in spontaneous emission present a mode-matching challenge. Current demonstrations rely on bulk photon-collection and manipulation optics that suffer from large component size and system-to-system variability—factors that impede scaling to the large numbers of entangled pairs needed for quantum information processing. To address these limitations, we demonstrate a collection method that enables passive phase stability, straightforward photonic manipulation, and intrinsic reproducibility. Specifically, we engineer a waveguide-integrated grating to couple photons emitted from a trapped ion into a single optical mode within a microfabricated ion-trap chip. Using the integrated collection optic, we characterize the collection efficiency, image the ion, and detect the ion’s quantum state. The integrated optic covers 2.18% of the solid angle and collects 1.97 ± 0.3% of the spontaneously emitted light incident on the grating for a total collection efficiency of 0.043% into a single-mode waveguide. This proof-of-principle demonstration lays the foundation for leveraging the inherent stability and reproducibility of integrated photonics to create, manipulate, and measure multipartite quantum states in arrays of quantum emitters.

Optical physics↗

Chirped-grating spectrometer-on-a-chip

We demonstrate an on-chip spectrometer readily integrable with CMOS electronics. The structure is comprised of a SiO 2 /Si 3 N 4 /SiO 2 waveguide atop a silicon substrate. A transversely chirped grating is fabricated, in a single-step optical lithography process, on a portion of the waveguide to provide angle and wavelength dependent coupling to the guided mode. The spectral and angular information is encoded in the spatial dependence of the grating period. A uniform pitch grating area, separated from the collection area by an unpatterned propagation region, provides the out-coupling to a CMOS detector array. A resolution of 0.3 nm at 633 nm with a spectral coverage tunable across the visible and NIR (to ∼ 1 µm limited by the Si photodetector) by changing the angle of incidence, is demonstrated without the need for any signal processing deconvolution. This on-chip spectrometer concept will cost effectively enable a broad range of applications that are beyond the reach of current integrated spectroscopic technologies.

Nezhadbadeh, Shima↗

Ultrafast Annealing Improves SNR and Long-Term Stability of a Highly Multiplexed Line-by-Line FBG Array Inscribed by Femtosecond Laser in a Coreless Fiber for Extreme-Temperature Applications

This study reports the fabrication of a fourth-order line-by-line fiber Bragg grating (FBG) array using femtosecond laser inscription within a highly multimode coreless optical fiber, with a particular focus on achieving substantial multiplexing capabilities. An ultrafast annealing procedure is employed, resulting in an impressive enhancement of the FBG sensor’s fringe visibility by approximately 13 dB, signifying a notable improvement of approximately ~4 dB. This substantial enhancement contributes to the long-term stability and performance of the multiplexed FBG array in extreme-temperature conditions. The systematic fabrication approach employed for the multiplexed FBG array guarantees a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each individual FBG within the array. This FBG array is intended for extreme-temperature applications, addressing limitations associated with traditional FBGs based on doped optical fibers, including SNR degradation and temperature-induced fringe drift. Testing at temperatures up to 1120 °C demonstrates the FBG array’s stability without fluctuations in readings. Furthermore, it endures seven heat cycles, spanning from 500 °C to 1120 °C, over 60 h, exhibiting outstanding thermal stability. Furthermore, this highly multiplexed FBG array with an ultrafast annealing approach holds promise for extreme-temperature environments, such as steelmaking, where precise and reliable distributed temperature monitoring is imperative.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗