UTFacultiesEEMCSMME2010ProgramWavelength Control in Optical Communication Using Photonic Crystals and Optical MEMS

Wavelength Control in Optical Communication Using Photonic Crystals and Optical MEMS

Olav Solgaard, Stanford University

Photonic Crystals allow miniaturization of free space optics and enable new device concepts, new system architectures, and new applications of Optical Microsystems. In this talk we describe the basics of optical filtering and sensing in two-dimensional photonic crystals, and show how these structures can be combined with MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) to create miniaturized, low-cost platforms for optical integration and packaging. Practical device designs, including fiber-optic sensors and optical scanners for high-temperature operation, will be presented.