Silicon Photonics

Level: Introductory Length: 4 hours Format: In-Person Lecture Intended Audience: This material is intended for anyone who needs to learn how to design integrated optical systems on a silicon platform. Those who either design their own photonic devices or who work with engineers and scientists will find this course valuable. Description: Silicon Microphotonics is a platform for the large scale integration of CMOS electronics with photonic components. This course will evaluate the most promising silicon optical components and the path to electronic-photonic integration. The subjects will be presented in two parts: 1) Context: a review of optical interconnection and the enabling solutions that arise from integrating optical and electronic devices at a micron-scale, using thin film processing; and 2) Technology: case studies in High Index Contrast design for silicon-based waveguides, filters, photodetectors, modulators, laser devices, and an application-specific opto-electronic circuit. The course objective is an overview of the silicon microphotonic platform drivers and barriers in design or fabrication. Learning Outcomes: This course will enable you to: - explain how the electronic, thermal and mechanical constraints of planar integration promote silicon as the optimal platform for microphotonics - design application-specific photonic devices that take advantage of unique materials processing and device design solutions - judge the feasibility and impact of the latest silicon photonic devices - identify trends in optical interconnection and the power of electronic-photonic convergence - compute the performance of micron-scale optically passive/active devices Instructor(s): Sajan Saini received his doctoral degree in materials science at MIT in 2004, during which he investigated materials and device designs for optically pumped waveguide amplifiers in silicon microphotonics. Sajan has worked with the MIT Microphotonics Center as a postdoctoral associate; he has also been a professor with the physics department at Queens College of CUNY (City University of New York), and lectured with the writing program at Princeton University. In addition to running a graduate research program on nanostructured materials, he has taught courses on photonics, introductory quantum physics, general astronomy, scientific writing, graphic novels and science-fiction, and climate science communications. At AIM Photonics Academy, Sajan oversees the production of all teaching and learning materials, including online modules, certification courses, and Summer Academy offerings. He has taught at SPIE Photonics West, co-authored several patents, and his scientific and science writings have appeared in IEEE and APL publications, book chapters, and Harper’s Magazine. Jurgen Michel is a Senior Research Scientist at the Materials Research Laboratory and a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He leads research projects in silicon-based photonic materials and devices as well as advanced solar cell designs. His main focus is currently on on-chip WDM devices, Ge-based high performance detectors and modulators, Ge-based lasers, and low cost, high efficiency solar cells. His research has led to the first waveguide coupled Ge photodetector, the first electro-absorption Ge modulator, and the first optically and electrically pumped Ge lasers. Prior to joining MIT in 1991 he was Postdoctoral Member of Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Laboratories, studying defect reactions and defect properties in semiconductor materials. He was educated in Germany and earned his diploma in Physics at the University of Cologne and his doctorate and habilitation in Applied Physics at the University of Paderborn. He has published more than 300 refereed scientific papers, 5 book chapters, 29 awarded patents, and more than 15 pending patents. Event: SPIE Photonics West 2023 Course Held: 01 February 2023