Proceedings Article | 14 June 2004
KEYWORDS: Waveguides, Near field optics, Resonators, Microrings, Photonic devices, Multimode interference devices, Integrated optics, Polarization, Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, Near field scanning optical microscopy
We present an overview of our study on the scientific and technological issues and challenges concerning the
miniaturization, interconnection and integration of microphotonic devices, circuits and systems in micron or submicron
scale. Devices that we have used for our study include: mode conversion schemes, directional couplers, micro-ring
resonator devices, micro-racetrack resonator devices, arrayed waveguide devices, multimode interference devices,
microdisk lasers, vertical cavity surface emitting microlasers, and the arrays thereof. Materials used for devices
include semiconductors, silica, sol-gel, and polymers. First, in miniaturization, the issues include the size effect,
proximity effect, energy confinement effect, microcavitiy effect, optical and quantum interference effect, high field
effect, nonlinear effect, noise effect, quantum optical effect, and chaotic effect. Secondly, in interconnection between
micro/nano-scale photonic devices, issues to be addressed include optical alignment, minimizing the interconnection
losses, and maintaining optical modes. Thirdly, in integration, the issues include the integration of different kinds of
devices, active-active, active-passive, passive-active and passive-passive. Scaling is also an important issue both for
miniaturization and integration. In the fabrication of devices, the optical quality of the walls, surfaces and interfaces
of the devices is of critical importance for high performance function. We found the near-field scanning optical
microsope useful in the analysis of the micro/nano-scale photonic devices.
