Abstract:
Silicon Photonics is the practice of creating optical and optoelectronic systems using the tools of Integrated electronic circuits (IC) manufacturing. This approach enables Photonic Integrated Circuits and allows complex optical systems, that traditionally would occupy large optical tables, to be scaled down to mm sized chips. In other words, Silicon Photonics is to optical systems as ICs are to electronic systems built in discreet components. In addition to the advantages of size, cost, and stability, Silicon Photonics holds the promise of low-power operation in important applications, including autonomous systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This talk is focused on the hardware and systems architectures of silicon photonics for high-performance sensor systems. Basic echnology developments will be covered, including efficient design and programing for high contrast, high coupling efficiency grating couplers, compact spectrometers, and power-efficient MEMS Phase shifters, and recent experimental verifications of high contrast, high coupling efficiency, and programable spectroscopy will be described.
Bio:
Olav Solgaard earned his Ph.D. degree from Stanford University in 1992. His doctoral dissertation was the basis for the establishment of Silicon Light Machines (SLM), co-founded by Dr. Solgaard in 1994. His work at UC Davis led to the invention of the multi-wavelength, fiber-optical switch, which has been developed into commercial products by several companies. In 1999 he joined Stanford University where he is now the Robert L. and Audrey S. Hancock Professor of Electrical Engineering and the Director of the Ginzton Laboratory.
Professor Solgaard’s research interests include optical MEMS, Silicon Photonics, optical sensors, and dielectric laser accelerators. He has authored more than 500 technical publications and holds 80 patents. Professor Solgaard is a Fellow of the IEEE, the Optical Society of America, the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters, and the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences.
