Numerical study and optimization of photonic crystals

Photonic crystals (PhCs) are engineered nanostructures that enable an extraordinary control over the flow of light. These structures can be fabricated out of common semiconductors, are compatible with existing industrial fabrication technologies, and are expected to play a major role in future devices integrating photonic circuits - e.g. for telecommunications or in future quantum technologies. In this thesis, we explore a wide range of properties of the most common class of PhCs, formed by a lattice of circular holes in a semiconductor slab. To compute the electromagnetic eigenmodes of a given structure, we use fast mode-expansion methods, which are presented in detail here. The first application consists in a detailed analysis of the effects of fabrication disorder on the PhC structures. It is by now well-known that disorder is in many cases the limiting factor in device performance. Here, we shed more light on its effects, by statistically comparing various designs for PhC cavities with a high quality factor, and by analyzing the effect of irregular hole shapes on a PhC waveguide. The second application presented here stems from the fact that PhCs are in fact tremendously flexible, and their features are determined by a large number of controllable parameters. This is on one hand a great advantage, but on the other a great challenge when it comes to finding the optimal device for a given application. To face this challenge, we have developed an automated optimization procedure, using a global optimization algorithm for the exploration of an insightfully selected parameter space. This was applied to various devices of interest, and inevitably resulted in a vast improvement of their qualities. Specifically, we demonstrate various high-Q cavity designs, and a slow-light coupled-cavity waveguide with extraordinary features. We also present several experimental confirmations of the validity of our designs. Finally, we discuss two domains in which PhCs (and our optimization procedure) can be expected to play a major role. The first one is integrating quantum dots with the goal of long-range, photon-assisted dot-dot coupling, with implications for quantum information processing. We develop a semi-classical formalism, and analyze the magnitude and attenuation length of this coupling in large PhC cavities, as well as in a waveguide. The second outlook is in the field of topological photonics. We describe an array of resonators, in which an effective gauge field for photons can be induced through an appropriate time-periodic modulation of the resonant frequencies. This results in a Quantum Hall effect for light, and, in a finite system, one-directional edge states immune to fabrication disorder are predicted. We discuss the possibilities for a practical implementation, for which a PhC slab is among the most promising platforms

Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program FY 2004 Annual Report

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program reports its status to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in March of each year. The program operates under the authority of DOE Order 413.2A, 'Laboratory Directed Research and Development' (January 8, 2001), which establishes DOE's requirements for the program while providing the Laboratory Director broad flexibility for program implementation. LDRD funds are obtained through a charge to all Laboratory programs. This report describes all ORNL LDRD research activities supported during FY 2004 and includes final reports for completed projects and shorter progress reports for projects that were active, but not completed, during this period. The FY 2004 ORNL LDRD Self-Assessment (ORNL/PPA-2005/2) provides financial data about the FY 2004 projects and an internal evaluation of the program's management process. ORNL is a DOE multiprogram science, technology, and energy laboratory with distinctive capabilities in materials science and engineering, neutron science and technology, energy production and end-use technologies, biological and environmental science, and scientific computing. With these capabilities ORNL conducts basic and applied research and development (R&D) to support DOE's overarching national security mission, which encompasses science, energy resources, environmental quality, and national nuclear security. As a national resource, the Laboratory also applies its capabilities and skills to the specific needs of other federal agencies and customers through the DOE Work For Others (WFO) program. Information about the Laboratory and its programs is available on the Internet at <http://www.ornl.gov/>. LDRD is a relatively small but vital DOE program that allows ORNL, as well as other multiprogram DOE laboratories, to select a limited number of R&D projects for the purpose of: (1) maintaining the scientific and technical vitality of the Laboratory; (2) enhancing the Laboratory's ability to address future DOE missions; (3) fostering creativity and stimulating exploration of forefront science and technology; (4) serving as a proving ground for new research; and (5) supporting high-risk, potentially high-value R&D. Through LDRD the Laboratory is able to improve its distinctive capabilities and enhance its ability to conduct cutting-edge R&D for its DOE and WFO sponsors. To meet the LDRD objectives and fulfill the particular needs of the Laboratory, ORNL has established a program with two components: the Director's R&D Fund and the Seed Money Fund. As outlined in Table 1, these two funds are complementary. The Director's R&D Fund develops new capabilities in support of the Laboratory initiatives, while the Seed Money Fund is open to all innovative ideas that have the potential for enhancing the Laboratory's core scientific and technical competencies. Provision for multiple routes of access to ORNL LDRD funds maximizes the likelihood that novel and seminal ideas with scientific and technological merit will be recognized and supported

Challenges for engineering students working with authentic complex problems

Engineers are important participants in solving societal, environmental and technical problems. However, due to an increasing complexity in relation to these problems new interdisciplinary competences are needed in engineering. Instead of students working with monodisciplinary problems, a situation where students work with authentic complex problems in interdisciplinary teams together with a company may scaffold development of new competences. The question is: What are the challenges for students structuring the work on authentic interdisciplinary problems? This study explores a three-day event where 7 students from Aalborg University (AAU) from four different faculties and one student from University College North Denmark (UCN), (6th-10th semester), worked in two groups at a large Danish company, solving authentic complex problems. The event was structured as a Hackathon where the students for three days worked with problem identification, problem analysis and finalizing with a pitch competition presenting their findings. During the event the students had workshops to support the work and they had the opportunity to use employees from the company as facilitators. It was an extracurricular activity during the summer holiday season. The methodology used for data collection was qualitative both in terms of observations and participants’ reflection reports. The students were observed during the whole event. Findings from this part of a larger study indicated, that students experience inability to transfer and transform project competences from their previous disciplinary experiences to an interdisciplinary setting

Exploring the practical use of a collaborative robot for academic purposes

This article presents a set of experiences related to the setup and exploration of potential educational uses of a collaborative robot (cobot). The basic principles that have guided the work carried out have been three. First and foremost, study of all the functionalities offered by the robot and exploration of its potential academic uses both in subjects focused on industrial robotics and in subjects of related disciplines (automation, communications, computer vision). Second, achieve the total integration of the cobot at the laboratory, seeking not only independent uses of it but also seeking for applications (laboratory practices) in which the cobot interacts with some of the other devices already existing at the laboratory (other industrial robots and a flexible manufacturing system). Third, reuse of some available components and minimization of the number and associated cost of required new components. The experiences, carried out following a project-based learning methodology under the framework of bachelor and master subjects and thesis, have focused on the integration of mechanical, electronic and programming aspects in new design solutions (end effector, cooperative workspace, artificial vision system integration) and case studies (advanced task programming, cybersecure communication, remote access). These experiences have consolidated the students' acquisition of skills in the transition to professional life by having the close collaboration of the university faculty with the experts of the robotics company.Postprint (published version