Open AccessThe effect of higher-order dispersion on slow light propagation in photonic crystal waveguides
Author(s) -
R.J.P. Engelen,
Yoshimasa Sugimoto,
Yoshinori Watanabe,
Jeroen P. Korterik,
Naoki Ikeda,
Niek F. van Hulst,
Kiyoshi Asakawa,
L. Kuipers
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.001658
Subject(s) - dispersion (optics) , group velocity , optics , phase velocity , photonic crystal , slow light , waveguide , materials science , group delay dispersion , ultrashort pulse , physics , optical fiber , laser , dispersion shifted fiber , fiber optic sensor
We have studied the dispersion of ultrafast pulses in a photonic crystal waveguide as a function of optical frequency, in both experiment and theory. With phase-sensitive and time-resolved near-field microscopy, the light was probed inside the waveguide in a non-invasive manner. The effect of dispersion on the shape of the pulses was determined. As the optical frequency decreased, the group velocity decreased. Simultaneously, the measured pulses were broadened during propagation, due to an increase in group velocity dispersion. On top of that, the pulses exhibited a strong asymmetric distortion as the propagation distance increased. The asymmetry increased as the group velocity decreased. The asymmetry of the pulses is caused by a strong increase of higher order dispersion. As the group velocity was reduced to 0.116(9) .c, we found group velocity dispersion of -1.1(3) .10(6) ps(2)/km and third order dispersion of up to 1.1(4) .10(5) ps(3)/km. We have modelled our interferometric measurements and included the full dispersion of the photonic crystal waveguide. Our mathematical model and the experimental findings showed a good correspondence. Our findings show that if the most commonly used slow light regime in photonic crystals is to be exploited, great care has to be taken about higher-order dispersion.