TOMORROW! Seminar: "Photonics by Design: Opportunities for physics-based simulation tools in the development of advanced photonic devices" by Prof. Eric Larkins 2.23.16/3:00-4:00pm/ CREOL RM

Seminar: "Photonics by Design: Opportunities for physics-based simulation tools in the development of advanced photonic devices" by Prof. Eric Larkins

Tuesday, February 23, 2016 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
CREOL Room 103

Prof. Eric Larkins, University of Nottingham

Abstract:

Thirty years later, active semiconductor devices and optoelectronic/photonic integrated circuits (OEICs/PICs) are following a similar technology roadmap to that of electronic devices and integrated circuits.  The optical-electrical-thermal interactions in active photonic devices and circuits are far more complex than those in electronic devices. Design tools for OEICs/PICs currently employ varying degrees of physical abstraction, but there is a growing demand for more accurate models (c.f. JePPIX Roadmap 2015). This is being driven by increasing PIC complexity and data rates, higher optical power densities, and the use of nonlinear optical effects.

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a suite of simulation tools (Speclase, Dynlase and Barlase), which rely on the self-consistent and physically accurate representation of the underlying optical, electronic and thermal processes. Their low level of physical abstraction allows them to predictively simulate the detailed optical and electrical performance of devices, dramatically reducing the number of design/fabrication cycles needed to develop new devices and circuits/systems. They also provide detailed insight into the performance limitations of devices and PICs, including their behaviour under extreme operating conditions. This talk will demonstrate the capabilities and advantages of state-of-the art physics-based design tools.

 

Simulation of a laser beam properties and their dependence on power

 

Simulation of laser spectrum and its dependence on current

 

Small- and large-signal modulation response of a laser at different temperatures

Biography:

Professor Eric Larkins is the Head of the Photonic and Radio Frequency Engineering Laboratory in the Advanced Optics Group at the University of Nottingham. His current research interests include nanophotonic devices, photonic integrated circuits, nano-biophotonics, high-speed and high-brightness semiconductor lasers,and nonlinear optical and non-equilibrium carrier/phonon dynamics in nanoscale devices. Professor Larkins and his team are leaders in the development of advanced simulation and design tools for active semiconductor photonic devices.

Professor Larkins received the BS degree in Electrical Engineering with distinction from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA in 1980. He received the MS and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering with a Physics minor from Stanford University, Stanford, California in 1985 and 1991 respectively. He pursued his doctoral research on light-emitting heterostructure thyristor switches and molecular beam epitaxy, receiving full support as an Eastman Kodak Fellow from 1985-91.

He joined the Explorative Technology Group at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics in Freiburg, Germany in 1991, where he worked on high-speed laser diodes, InGaAs/GaAs MSM photodetectors, 3-5mm and 8-12mm intersubband photodetectors, and optical modulators. At the Fraunhofer Institute, Professor Larkins developed currently accepted MBE growth processes for highly-strained pseudomorphic InGaAs/GaAs quantum wells and achieved record direct modulation bandwidths (>40GHz) with lasers made from these materials.

He joined the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Nottingham as a Lecturer in October 1994, was appointed Reader in 1998 and Professor of Optoelectronics in 2002. Professor Larkins co-chairs the annual High Power Diode Lasers and Systems Conference and co-chaired the International Conference on the Numerical Simulation of Optoelectronic Devices (NUSOD) in 2008. He currently serves on: the Steering Committee of NUSOD; the Semiconductor Lasers Committee of the IEEE Photonics Conference; and the Technical Programme Committee of the 25^th IEEE International Semiconductor Laser Conference. Professor Larkins is a senior member of the IEEE, a member of the Institute of Physics, and an active member of the Photonics21 European Technology Platform. He has authored or co-authored one white paper, three patents (two U.S. and one German), eight book chapters (four in preparation) and > 250 scientific papers.

 For additional information:

Dr. Mercedeh Khajavikhan
Assistant Professor of Optics & Photonics