Nonlinear Optics in Microstructured Ferroelectrics and Semiconductors

Dr. Martin M. Fejer

E. L. Ginzton Laboratory

Stanford University

Efficient nonlinear optical interactions, in which photons at one wavelength mix with photons at another wavelength, enable a variety of useful interactions, from tunable sources of coherent radiation to classical and quantum optical information processing. Two important tools for such interactions are quasi-phasematching, in which periodic patterning of the nonlinear susceptibility compensates for the momentum mismatch between the interacting photons, and guided-wave geometries, which provide tight confinement over long interaction lengths, which together enable orders of magnitude higher efficiencies than are possible in conventional media. Advances in microstructuring nonlinear materials, in particular periodic-poling of ferroelectrics and growth of orientation-patterned III-V semiconductors, make nonlinear interactions possible at milliwatt optical powers from the UV to the mid-IR, and recently in the THz range. Manipulation of single photons and photon pairs has also been demonstrated.
In this talk, techniques for microstructuring ferroelectrics and semiconductors, and devices based on these materials will be discussed. Applications discussed will include tunable and ultrafast light sources, supercontinuum generation, optical signal processing for communications systems, single-photon counting at 1.5 µm, and photon pair sources for quantum optics.

Martin M. Fejer (M'93) received the B.A. degree from Cornell University and the Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford University, Stanford, CA, in 1986.
He joined the faculty at Stanford in 1986, where he is currently a professor of applied physics. With more than a dozen students and postdoctoral researchers, his research group focuses on nonlinear optical materials and devices, guided wave optics, microstructured ferroelectrics and semiconductors, nonlinear, devices for telecom applications, low dissipation materials, and precision measurements.
He is a fellow of the OSA and member of the IEEE LEOS Board of Governors. In 1998 he was awarded the OSA's R.W. Wood Prize. He has authored over 200 technical publications and holds 17 patents.

Friday, November 30th, at 1:00 pm

CHTM, Room 101

A light lunch will be served at the talk.