Waveguide Coupling of Optomechanical Cavities

• Grant number: 23/05160-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: April 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Pedro Mayer Alegre
• Grantee: Bernardo de Andrade Dias da Costa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/15580-6 - Optomechanical cavities towards single photon strong coupling, AP.JP2

Abstract

This undergraduate scientific project aims to develop an efficient coupling technique for light in and out of integrated optical cavities using an optical fiber taper. The student will learn the basics of optical waveguiding, design, simulation, fabrication, and testing skills. Multiple approaches, such as dimple structures and adiabatic mode transition, will be explored to create an on-chip coupling based on bulk silicon wafers. The project involves fabricating different optical fiber tapers, understanding guided optical modes, calculating spatial profiles, and applying couple-mode theory to improve coupling efficiency. The student will design an adiabatic coupler, fabricate an HF-etched silica taper, and characterize and compare the spectral features of the coupling routes. The final goal is to employ this technique for low-temperature experiments. This project offers an opportunity for students to develop practical skills in designing and fabricating optical waveguide devices, while also providing a strong theoretical foundation in the fundamentals of optical waveguiding and coupling. The outcome has the potential to contribute to the development of advanced optical devices for various applications in the future.