Ge-on-Si Mid-Infrared Waveguide Platform for Molecular Fingerprint Sensing

Gallacher, K. , Millar, R. W. , Griskeviciute, U., Sinclair, M. , Sorel, M. , Baldassarre, L., Ortolani, M., Soref, R. and Paul, D. J. (2020) Ge-on-Si Mid-Infrared Waveguide Platform for Molecular Fingerprint Sensing. In: 22nd International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks (ICTON), Bari, Italy, 19-23 July 2020, ISBN 9781728184241 (doi: 10.1109/ICTON51198.2020.9203237)

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Abstract

The mid-infrared spectral region is key to several large market applications such as security, healthcare and environmental monitoring. This is due to how chemical compounds can be detected from unique vibrational modes that absorb in the molecular ‘fingerprint’ region ( 6.7−20 μm wavelength). There is significant interest in realizing cheaper and smaller spectrometers based on waveguide integrated photonics. Here we demonstrate Ge-on-Si waveguides operating up to 11 μm wavelength with low propagation loss (∼ 1 dB/cm). The performance of the waveguides is then demonstrated by measuring thin films that are used to calibrate the modal overlap for molecular sensing. Lastly, an ultra-broadband Ge-on-Si waveguide polarization rotator is presented. The fabricated polarization rotator devices demonstrate a polarization extinction ratio of ≥ 15 dB over a 2 μm bandwidth ( 9−11 μm wavelength) with an average insertion loss < 1 dB.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Millar, Dr Ross and Sinclair, Mr Martin and Sorel, Professor Marc and Hawley, Mrs Ugne and Paul, Professor Douglas and Gallacher, Dr Kevin
Authors: Gallacher, K., Millar, R. W., Griskeviciute, U., Sinclair, M., Sorel, M., Baldassarre, L., Ortolani, M., Soref, R., and Paul, D. J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
ISSN:2162-7339
ISBN:9781728184241
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 IEEE
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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