Advanced mid-infrared plasmonic waveguides for on-chip integrated photonics

Advanced mid-infrared plasmonic waveguides for on-chip integrated photonics

WoS Article

Long-wave infrared (LWIR, 8–14 μm) photonics is a rapidly growing research field within the mid-IR with applications in molecular spectroscopy and optical free-space communication. LWIR applications are often addressed using rather bulky tabletop-sized free-space optical systems, preventing advanced photonic applications, such as rapid-time-scale experiments. Here, device miniaturization into photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with maintained optical capabilities is key to revolutionize mid-IR photonics. Subwavelength mode confinement in plasmonic structures enabled such miniaturization approaches in the visible-to-near-IR spectral range. However, adopting plasmonics for the LWIR needs suitable low-loss and -dispersion materials with compatible integration strategies to existing mid-IR technology. In this paper, we further unlock the field of LWIR/mid-IR PICs by combining photolithographic patterning of organic polymers with dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton (DLSPP) waveguides. In particular, polyethylene shows favorable optical properties, including low refractive index and broad transparency between ∼2 μm and 200 μm. We investigate the whole value chain, including design, fabrication, and characterization of polyethylene-based DLSPP waveguides and demonstrate their first-time plasmonic operation and mode guiding capabilities along S-bend structures. Low bending losses of ∼1.3 dB and straight-section propagation lengths of ∼1 mm, pave the way for unprecedented complex on-chip mid-IR photonic devices. Moreover, DLSPPs allow full control of the mode parameters (propagation length and guiding capabilities) for precisely addressing advanced sensing and telecommunication applications with chip-scale devices.

Long-wave infrared (LWIR, 8–14 μm) photonics is a rapidly growing research field within the mid-IR with applications in molecular spectroscopy and optical free-space communication. LWIR applications are often addressed using rather bulky tabletop-sized free-space optical systems, preventing advanced photonic applications, such as rapid-time-scale experiments. Here, device miniaturization into photonic integrated circuits (PICs) with maintained optical capabilities is key to revolutionize mid-IR photonics. Subwavelength mode confinement in plasmonic structures enabled such miniaturization approaches in the visible-to-near-IR spectral range. However, adopting plasmonics for the LWIR needs suitable low-loss and -dispersion materials with compatible integration strategies to existing mid-IR technology. In this paper, we further unlock the field of LWIR/mid-IR PICs by combining photolithographic patterning of organic polymers with dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton (DLSPP) waveguides. In particular, polyethylene shows favorable optical properties, including low refractive index and broad transparency between ∼2 μm and 200 μm. We investigate the whole value chain, including design, fabrication, and characterization of polyethylene-based DLSPP waveguides and demonstrate their first-time plasmonic operation and mode guiding capabilities along S-bend structures. Low bending losses of ∼1.3 dB and straight-section propagation lengths of ∼1 mm, pave the way for unprecedented complex on-chip mid-IR photonic devices. Moreover, DLSPPs allow full control of the mode parameters (propagation length and guiding capabilities) for precisely addressing advanced sensing and telecommunication applications with chip-scale devices.

Electromagnetic wave polarization; Infrared radiation; Molecular spectroscopy; Optical communication; Optical waveguides; Photonics; Polyethylenes; Refractive index; Surface plasmons

Electromagnetic wave polarization; Infrared radiation; Molecular spectroscopy; Optical communication; Optical waveguides; Photonics; Polyethylenes; Refractive index; Surface plasmons

DAVID, M.; DISNAN, D.; ARIGLIANI, E.; LARDSCHNEIDER, A.; MARSCHICK, G.; HOANG, H.; DETZ, H.; LENDL, B.; SCHMID, U.; STRASSER, G.; HINKOV, B.

01.10.2023

Optica

2327-9125

Photonics Research

11

10

People's Republic of China

1694

1702

9

https://opg.optica.org/prj/fulltext.cfm?uri=prj-11-10-1694&id=540366

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/245066

prj-11-10-1694