Resonant, broadband, and highly efficient optical frequency conversion in semiconductor nanowire gratings at visible and UV wavelengths

Year: 2019

Authors: Scalora M., Trull J., Cojocaru C., Vincenti MA., Carletti L., de Ceglia D., Akozbek N., De Angelis C.

Autors Affiliation: CCDEVCOM AVMC, Charles M Bowden Res Ctr, Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898 USA; Univ Politecn Cataluna, Phys Dept, Rambla St Nebridi 22, Barcelona, Spain; Univ Brescia, Dept Informat Engn, Via Branze 38, I-25123 Brescia, Italy; Univ Padua, Dept Informat Engn, Via Gradenigo 6-A, I-35131 Padua, Italy; AEgis Technol Inc, 401 Jan Davis Dr, Huntsville, AL 35806 USA; INO CNR, Natl Inst Opt, Via Branze 45, I-25123 Brescia, Italy

Abstract: Using a hydrodynamic approach, we examine bulk- and surface-induced second- and third-harmonic generation from semiconductor nanowire gratings having a resonant nonlinearity in the absorption region. We demonstrate resonant, broadband, and highly efficient optical frequency conversion: contrary to conventional wisdom, we show that harmonic generation can take full advantage of resonant nonlinearities in a spectral range where nonlinear optical coefficients are boosted well beyond what is achievable in the transparent, long-wavelength, non-resonant regime. Using femtosecond pulses with approximately 500 MW/cm(2) peak power density, we predict third-harmonic conversion efficiencies of approximately 1% in a silicon nanowire array, at nearly any desired UV or visible wavelength, including the range of negative dielectric constant. We also predict surface second-harmonic conversion efficiencies of order 0.01%, depending on the electronic effective mass; bistable behavior of the signals as a result of a reshaped resonance; and the onset of fifth-order nonlinear effects. These remarkable findings, arising from the combined effects of nonlinear resonance dispersion, field localization, and phase locking, could significantly extend the operational spectral bandwidth of silicon photonics, and strongly suggest that neither linear absorption nor skin depth should be motivating factors to exclude either semiconductors or metals from the list of useful or practical nonlinear materials in any spectral range. (C) 2019 Optical Society of America

Journal/Review: JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA B: OPTICAL PHYSICS

Volume: 36 (8)      Pages from: 2346  to: 2351

More Information: Rita Levi-Montalcini Italian Ministry of Education and Research; International Technology CenterAtlantic (W911NF-16-1-0563)
KeyWords: HARMONIC-GENERATION
DOI: 10.1364/JOSAB.36.002346

Citations: 9
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