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

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Garcia Coleto, Andres

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Notaros, Jelena

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
• Copyright retained by author(s)

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/158513

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/158513