American Liberty Scholarship: Denmark : 2 PhD positions in Optically Nano-engineered Components for High-capacity Integrated silicon Photonics (ONCHIP)

Monday, April 8, 2013

Denmark : 2 PhD positions in Optically Nano-engineered Components for High-capacity Integrated silicon Photonics (ONCHIP)

The project will combine topology optimization [1, 2], state-of-the-art cleanroom technologies, and ultra-high-speed characterization to explore the enormous potential of silicon nanophotonics for performing on-chip optical signal processing and routing to initiate a new era of optical communications (see e.g. ref. [3]). The project will develop and investigate silicon-based devices havingµm2-scale footprints that approach fundamental lower limits for sizes while facilitating novel functionalities for optical routing. The high power density in the silicon photonic wire waveguide will be exploited and combined with topology optimized waveguide designs to further raise processing speeds in all-optical signal processing experiments already demonstrating world record figures (>1 TBit/s). Emerging silicon and graphene technologies will be probed to realize compact, ultra-fast, and energy-efficient electro-optic modulators and the project will investigate cavity-enhanced emission from defect centers in silicon potentially making silicon a useful light emitter. Consequently, topology optimized silicon nanophotonics will provide low-cost, energy-efficient and high-capacity solutions for optical interconnections in tomorrow’s communications-system on a chip, board, and rack level.

Project description
In this project you will

Design novel and robust building blocks such as switches, filters, interferometers, converters, and cross-connects for compact on-chip optical circuits by utilizing topology optimization. In the project, we will also engineer the silicon photonic waveguide to achieve exotic light propagation and functionalities for use in sophisticated optical signal processing at TBit/s speeds.

Fabricate optimized components and circuits in the state-of-the-art cleanroom at DANCHIP. Also, you will take part in the on-going process of optimizing the nanofabrication processes to continuously push these towards nm-precision.

Simulate the nanostructures using e.g. 2D & 3D Finite-Difference Time-Domain simulation tools and investigate designs for tolerances to the nanofabrication processes.

Characterize components in the cleanroom for compliance to designs and in the optical lab for device losses and functionality performance. Components may also take part in signal processing experiments conducted in world-class facilities for investigating TB/s optical systems.

In the ONCHIP project two PhD stipends are available. The main foci of the projects are (but not limited to):

PhD project 1: Dispersion engineered silicon photonic wires for signal processing

Design & modeling using topology optimization based on Finite Element and/or Finite-Difference Time-Domain methods.

Dispersion engineered silicon photonic wires.

Cleanroom fabrication of low-loss wires in crystalline and/or amorphous silicon.

Employment of graphene and/or hybrid plasmonic waveguides for realizing ultra-fast modulators.

TBit/s advanced optical characterizations (e.g. demultiplexing, wavelength conversion, regeneration).

PhD project 2: Topology Optimized Components for Mode- and Wavelength Division Multiplexing

Design & modeling using topology optimization based on Finite-Difference Time-Domain method.

Ultra compact designs for on-chip mode converters and mode-/wavelength- demultiplexers.

Cleanroom fabrication and characterization of low-loss devices.

Topology Optimization of nano-cavities with high Q/V.

Experimental investigation of high-Q cavities for light generation in silicon.

Throughout the project, you will acquire a large number of advanced scientific and technological skills and eventually become an expert in all aspects of integrated silicon photonics ranging from physical understanding of integrated photonics over design and optimization to fabrication and characterization of optical components. Therefore, you need to have the ability to span over a broad scientific and technological platform.

The ideal candidate holds a solid background within optics, has skills within doing numerical simulations/modeling, and can show some experience within cleanroom fabrication.

References

M. P. Bendsøe and N. Kikuchi, “Generating optimal topologies in structural design using a homogenization method,” Comput. Meth. Appl. Mech. Engng. 71, pp. 197-224 (1988).

J.S. Jensen, O. Sigmund, “Topology optimization for nano-photonics”, Laser & Photonics Reviews, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 308-321 (2011).

Y. Fainman, M. P. Nezhad, D. T. H. Tan, K. Ikeda, O. Bondarenko, and A. Grieco, “Silicon nanophotonic devices for chip-scale optical

communication applications”, App. Opt., Vol. 52, No. 4, pp. 613-624 (2013).

Project environment and research groups
The project is funded by the Villum Kann Rasmussen foundation and will take place in the Nanophotonic Devices Group at DTU Fotonik. It will include strong collaboration with world-reckoned collaborators at DTU in the optimization (DTU Mekanik), fabrication (DTU Danchip, DTU Nanotech), and characterization (DTU Fotonik, High-speed Optical Communications Group) of the devices to ensure a sound base for handling all aspects of the project. The successive Ph.D. students will acquire a broad palette of skills within modeling, fabrication and characterization of nanophotonic devices and will be highly valued for employment in the high-tech industry. The 2 Ph.D. students will join a team at DTU Fotonik developing technologies for utilizing and activating silicon nanophotonics and position DTU among the key technology holders for tomorrow’s optical chip.

Qualifications
You should have a master’s degree in physics, materials science, optics, engineering or a similar one with an academic level equivalent to the master’s degree in engineering.

You will also have the ability to work independently when planning and carrying out complicated tasks. Furthermore, you have good communication skills in written and spoken English.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.

Further information and Supervisor

Senior Researcher Lars Hagedorn Frandsen, project leader, Nanophotonics Devices, DTU Fotonik (Email: lhfr@fotonik.dtu.dk; Tel.: +45 4525 6367)

Associate Professor Kresten Yvind, Head of the Nanophotonics Devices Group at DTU Fotonik (Email: kryv@fotonik.dtu.dk; Tel.: +45 4525 6366)

Professor Ole Sigmund, Head of the TopOpt research group at DTU Mechanics (Email: sigmund@mek.dtu.dk; Tel.: +45 4525 4256)

Professor Leif K. Oxenløwe, Head of the High-Speed Optical Communications Group at DTU Fotonik (Email: lkox@fotonik.dtu.dk; Tel.: +45 4525 3784)

Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below.

You can read more about DTU Fotonik on www.fotonik.dtu.dk

Application
We must have your online application by 12 May 2013.

Applications must be submitted as one pdf file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link “Apply online,” fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one pdf file. The file must include: