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In this work, we explore inverse designed reconfigurable digital metamaterial structures based on phase change material Sb2Se3for efficient and compact integrated nanophotonics. An exemplary design of a 1 × 2 optical switch consisting of a 3 µm x 3 µm pixelated domain is demonstrated. We show that: (i) direct optimization of a domain containing only Si and Sb2Se3pixels does not lead to a high extinction ratio between output ports in the amorphous state, which is owed to the small index contrast between Si and Sb2Se3in such a state. As a result, (ii) topology optimization, e.g., the addition of air pixels, is required to provide an initial asymmetry that aids the amorphous state's response. Furthermore, (iii) the combination of low loss and high refractive index change in Sb2Se3, which is unique among all phase change materials in the telecommunications 1550 nm band, translates into an excellent projected performance; the optimized device structure exhibits a low insertion loss (∼1.5 dB) and high extinction ratio (>18 dB) for both phase states.
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Nonvolatile tuning of Bragg structures using transparent phase-change materials
Bragg gratings offer high-performance filtering and routing of light on-chip through a periodic modulation of a waveguide’s effective refractive index. Here, we model and experimentally demonstrate the use of Sb2Se3, a nonvolatile and transparent phase-change material, to tune the resonance conditions in two devices which leverage periodic Bragg gratings—a stopband filter and Fabry-Perot cavity. Through simulations, we show that similar refractive indices between silicon and amorphous Sb2Se3can be used to induce broadband transparency, while the crystalline state can enhance the index contrast in these Bragg devices. Our experimental results show the promise and limitations of this design approach and highlight specific fabrication challenges which need to be addressed in future implementations.
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- PAR ID:
- 10458023
- Publisher / Repository:
- Optical Society of America
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Optical Materials Express
- Volume:
- 13
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 2159-3930
- Format(s):
- Medium: X Size: Article No. 2700
- Size(s):
- Article No. 2700
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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