Semiconductor Fibre Devices for Nonlinear Photonics

The Semiconductor Fibre Devices for Nonlinear Photonics group is headed by Dr Anna Peacock. The focus of this group’s research is to follow the development of semiconductor impregnated optical fibres from the design and characterisation stage, to the demonstration of practical all-fibre devices. 

Within the group we have a full complement of experimental and numerical expertise to support the construction of a wide range of devices. The group collaborates strongly with Dr Pier Sazio of the Photonic, Electronic and Plasmonic Microstructured Optical Fibres group as well as with the Microstructured Optical Fibres group.

 

Key research breakthroughs

•  Tapered silicon optical fibres with tailored nonlinear and dispersion properties – key publications: 4712, 4747
• Large mode area silicon microstructured fibres with robust dual mode guidance – key publications: 4504
• Optical characterization of low loss semiconductor fibres – key publications: 4608, 4836
• Metal impregnated microstructured fibres for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy – key publications: 3849, 4094

 

Impact of research

Semiconductor photonics is fast becoming one of the most active areas of research offering optoelectronic solutions for a wide range of applications not only in telecoms, but also in medicine, imaging, spectroscopy, and sensing. For example: ultra-fast all-fibre optical switches will reduce costs and improve efficiency of communications systems, whilst laser sources which operate in the mid infrared can be used for environmental sensing and medical applications. The incorporation of the active semiconductor component into the fibre geometry provides an important step towards seamlessly linking semiconductor photonics with existing fibre infrastructures. Our research aims to develop elegant semiconductor fibre based devices over the range of these diverse fields to maximise impact and ensure a high level of both scientific and commercial relevance.

 

Research facilities

A wide range of optical and material characterization facilities are available that extend over the wavelength range 300nm-2.5µm. Laser sources include: supercontinuum source, femtosecond optical parametric oscillator, high power fibre lasers and laser diodes.

 

Current research projects

Materials World Network: Creating Optoelectronic Materials and Devices Inside Microstructured Optical Fibers

Funded by NSF/EPSRC (EP/G028273/1): January 2009 to December 2011

In collaboration with Dr P. Sazio (ORC), Prof. D. Richardson (ORC), Prof. J. Badding (Penn State University, USA), and Prof. V. Gopalan (Penn State University, USA).

Fiberized Silicon: A New Platform for Nonlinear Photonics Devices

Funded by EPSRC (EP/G051755/1): January 2010 to December 2012

 

Collaborations

Internal:

• Photonic, electronic and plasmonic microstructured optical fibres group
• Microstructured optical fibres group
• Computational nonlinear optics group

Academic (international):

• Prof. J Badding (Penn State University, USA)

 

Work with us

 If you are interested in working with us or would like to find out more about our group please contact Dr Anna Peacock.

 

PhD projects with this group