The objective of the PhD is to develop a new class of optical devices used to provide interfaces between Photonics Integrated Circuits (PICs) and free space optics. These devices have been investigated in a seminal work conveyed in a former PhD work. It consists in the use of a nanoimprinted prismatic structure bonded on the surface of a PIC. Through evanescent coupling and reflections in the structure, guided waves can be transferred from the PIC toward an external optical system. With the use of electro-optic materials, this extractor may offer interesting applications as a switchable extractor.
The candidate will delve into the theory of the device to improve its performance. He/she will perform experiments on packaging, holography and PIC characterization. His/her objective will be to manufacture a large panel of sample devices to be tested. One particular concern is to evaluate the behavior of the fabricated devices in a large spectral domain form visible to short Infra-Red wavelengths.
The candidate will use FDTD simulation software to evaluate the propagation characteristics of the wave as it travels from a confined space to a free space. He/she will define optimal prismatic structures to be replicated with nanoimprint. He/she will implement the polymer structure on PIC samples through delicate transfer and bonding protocol in a clean room. He/she will record micro-holographic optical elements with lasers to improve the angular potential of the final device. Large part of the PhD will concern the use of optical set-ups.