Nanophotonics for Communications and Medicine

"Nanophotonics for Communications and Medicine"Mehmet Fatih Yanik
(Stanford University, Applied Physics)Host: Prof. Won NamgoongAbstract:
The use of dynamic photonic bandgap nano-structures opens fascinating new possibilities for controlling the classical and quantum properties of light. The spectrum of light can be molded almost arbitrarily with small refractive index modulations, leading to unprecedented information processing capabilities on-chip. As examples of such capabilities, we show how light pulses can be coherently stopped, stored, and time-reversed with linear optics and modulators. Photonic bandgap nano-structures can confine photons to sub-micron scale volumes, which leads to ultra-strong enhancement of optical non-linearities. We discuss how such non-linearities can be used to make fast micron scale low-power photonic transistors and memories, with switching energies close to that of CMOS electronic circuits. We show how nano-scale all-optical devices can be systematically cascaded on-chip without optical isolators, even in the presence of reflections. The rest of the talk introduces the femtosecond laser nano-surgery technique, which, for the first time, enabled study of nerve regeneration in its evolutionarily simplest form, and led to very unusual observations.

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Alma Hernandez