Nonlinear Light Matter Interactions in Slow Light Photonic Structures: Performance Metrics

Speaker: Jacob B. Khurgin,
Johns Hopkins UniversityAbstract: Strong confinement of the electromagnetic field and reduction of the group velocity can be achieved in various Slow Light Structures can greatly enhance the strength of light matter interactions. These interactions include various nonlinear effects as well as spontaneous emission. Based on these well understood observations a number of devices based on slow light had been proposed, including all-optical and electro-optical modulators and switches, various sensors, and the devices for quantum communication and information processing.All these slow light devices inevitably rely upon existence of strong optical resonances, and the resonances are always accompanied by strong dispersion and significant loss. As a result, the bandwidth of SL devices becomes limited.In this presentation I will address the issue of trade off between the bandwidth and other important characteristics of SL devices – switching power, size, average power dissipation, noise floor, and others. I will show that different photonic schemes (for example single rather than coupled resonators) may be more applicable for different nonlinear effects. I will identify the most promising application niches for the nonlinear devices based on slow light.Biography: Jacob B. Khurgin had graduated with MS in Optics from the Institute of Fine Mechanics and Optics in St Petersburg, Russia in 1979, where he was also born before that. In 1980 he had emigrated to US, and, to his own great surprise, immediately landed what then seemed to be a meaningful job with Philips Laboratories of NV Philips in Briarcliff Manor, NY. There for 8 years he worked with various degrees of success on miniature solid-state lasers, II-VI semiconductor lasers, various display and lighting fixtures, X-ray imaging, and small appliances such as electric shavers and coffeemakers (for which he has 3 patents). Simultaneously he was pursuing his graduate studies at Polytechnic Institute of NY, where he had received PhD in Electro-physics in Jan. 1987. In Jan. 1988, prompted by a promotion to a Department Manager, Khurgin's industrial career came to an abrupt end, and he had joined the Electrical Engineering department of Johns Hopkins University, where he had settled down and is currently a Professor. His research topics over the years included an eclectic mixture of optics of semiconductor nanostructures, nonlinear optical devices, optical communications, microwave photonics, and condensed matter physics. Currently he is working in the areas of laser cooling, phonon engineering for high frequency transistors, coherent optical communications, and slow light propagation. His publications include 2 book chapters, one book edited, 170+ papers in refereed journals and 8 patents. Prof. Khurgin is an OSA Fellow.Host: Alan Willner, willner@usc.edu, EEB 538, x04664

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 539

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Gerrielyn Ramos