Photonics Integration in Advanced Grating Filters and Integrated Spectrometers for Astronomy and Quantum Information

Abstract:
We will describe our work on optical integration in a SiN/SiO2 platform, in particular how to realize a complex waveguide Bragg grating for rejecting the background light from the atmosphere (more than 100 lines) for astronomical observation and how to implement an integrated spectrometer based on arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) or on echelle gratings. High coupling efficiency (above 90%) between a single mode fiber and an integrated waveguide will be described. Initial work geared toward applications in quantum information will be briefly described.

Biography:
Professor Dagenais' research interests are in photonics integration, high efficiency photovoltaic conversion, and nitride optoelectronics. Professor Dagenais received his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1978 working in Quantum Optics and photon correlations under the direction of Professor Mandel. Together with Jeff Kimble, he made the first observation of photon antibunching. He was a Research Fellow at Harvard University from 1978 to 1980, where he worked in nonlinear optics with Professor Bloembergen. From 1980 to 1987, he worked at GTE Laboratories on photonic switching and semiconductor lasers. He joined the University of Maryland in 1987 where he has been Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering since 1991. He has more than 300 archival and conference publications. He has co-chaired several national and international meetings. Professor Dagenais is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, a Fellow of IEEE, and a Fellow of the Electromagnetic Society.