Integrated Visible-Light Liquid-Crystal-Based Modulators and Grating-Based Antennas

Abstract

Current developments in integrated visible-light photonics have led to advancements in applications such as augmented-reality displays and quantum systems. However, the development of crucial integrated-photonics devices such as integrated gratingbased antennas and integrated optical modulators has predominantly focused on the infrared spectrum, leaving a gap in visible-light technologies. This thesis addresses this gap by designing and experimentally demonstrating integrated visible-light liquidcrystal-based (LC-based) modulators and grating-based antennas. First, we provide a thorough design guide for integrated visible-light grating-based antennas and experimentally demonstrate five antennas with varying advanced capabilities, including the first visible-light unidirectionally-emitting grating-based antennas for integrated optical phased arrays (OPAs), facilitating the use of integrated OPAs for new visible-light applications. Second, we discuss the fabrication processes, considerations, and evaluation techniques for successful packaging of integrated LC modulators, supporting the broader integration of LC into silicon-photonics platforms, enabling more compact and efficient on-chip modulation. Third, we experimentally demonstrate the first integrated visible-light LC-based variable-tap amplitude modulators, enabling a compact and low-power solution to integrated visible-light amplitude modulation for high-density integrated visible-light systems. Fourth, we experimentally demonstrate the first 300-mm wafer-scale platform and fabrication process that results in mechanically-flexible photonic wafers and chips, enabling the field of integrated photonics to advance into new application areas that require flexible photonic chips.