Nonlinear waveguide optics

While the utility of nonlinear mixing processes for light generation is undeniable, they are nonetheless constrained by physical factors related to waveguide structures and material. Our research hence focuses on the synergy between waveguide (fiber or integrated) engineering, material/electrical properties for the development of performant and reconfigurable devices with enhanced nonlinear functionalities.


We are working with various waveguiding nonlinear platforms, from standard highly nonlinear silica fibers, to chalcogenide photonic crystal fibers and integrated waveguides such as silicon nitride, thin film lithium niobate and aluminium nitride in collaboration with LASPE. Our competences range from theory and simulations of nonlinear interactions, design and engineering of waveguides with specific targeted dispersion/operational properties, and experimental characterizations of devices. We collaborate with industries and other research groups for the fabrication of the devices hence focusing our efforts on the demonstration of advanced functionalities by leveraging engineered nonlinear devices. Besides working with 3rd order nonlinearities (supercontinuum generation, four wave mixing, parametric amplification…), a specific line of research that PHOSL is leading is on optically inducing 2nd order nonlinearities in amorphous materials, such as silicon nitride (launched by the ERC project PISSARRO).

 

Selected publications:

1. C.-S. Brès, A. Della Torre, D. Grassani, V. Brasch, C. Grillet, C. Monat, ‘Supercontinuum in integrated photonics: generation, applications, challenges, and perspectives,’ Nanophotonics 12 (7), 1199-1244, 2023

2. O. Yakar, E. Nitiss, J. Hu, C.-S. Brès, ‘Generalized coherent photogalvanic effect in coherently seeded waveguides,’ Laser & Photonics Reviews 16 (12), 2200294, 2022

3. E. Sahin, B. Zabelich, O. Yakar, E. Nitiss, J. Liu, R.N. Wang, T.J. Kippenberg, C.-S. Brès, ‘Difference-frequency generation in optically poled silicon nitride waveguides,’ Nanophotonics 10 (7), 1923-1930, 2021

4. D. Grassani, E. Tagkoudi, H. Guo, C. Herkommer, F. Yang, T.J. Kippenberg, C.-S. Brès, ‘Mid infrared gas spectroscopy using efficient fiber laser driven photonic chip-based supercontinuum,’ Nature Communications 10(1), pp.1-8, 2019

5. H. Guo, C. Herkommer, A. Billat, D. Grassani, C. Zhang, M.H.P. Pfeiffer, C.-S. Brès, T.J. Kippenberg, ‘Mid-infrared frequency comb via coherent dispersive wave generation in silicon nitride nano-photonic waveguides,’ Nature Photonics 12(6), pp. 330, 2018

6. A. Billat, D. Grassani, M.H.P. Pfeiffer, S. Kharitonov, T.J. Kippenberg, C.-S. Brès, ‘Large second harmonic generation enhancement in SiN waveguides by all-optically induced quasi phase matching,’ Nature Communications 8(1), 2017

7. S. Xing, D. Grassani, S. Kharitonov, L. Brilland, C. Caillaud, J. Trolès, C.-S. Brès, ‘Mid-infrared continuous wave parametric amplification in tapered chalcogenide microstructured fibers,’ OSA Optica, 4(6), 643 – 648, 2017

8. A. Billat, S. Cordette, Y.P. Tseng, S. Kharitonov, C.-S. Brès, ‘High-power parametric conversion from near-infrared to short-wave infrared,’ Optics Express 22 (12), pp. 14341 – 14347, 2014