Cross-polarization effects in sheared 2D grating couplers in a photonic BiCMOS technology

We investigate numerically and experimentally sheared 2D grating couplers in a photonic BiCMOS technology with a focus on their splitting behavior. Two realization forms of a waveguide-to-grating shear angle are considered. The cross-polarization used as a figure-of-merit is shown to be strongly dependent on the grating perturbation strength and is a crucial limitation not only for the grating splitting performance, but also for its coupling efficiency.Comment: This is a preprint version of an article accepted for publication in Japanese Journal of Applied Physics. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The full Version of Record is available online at DOI: 10.35848/1347-4065/ab8e2

Penalties From 2D Grating Coupler Induced Polarization Crosstalk in Silicon Photonic Coherent Transceivers

Silicon photonic two-dimensional grating couplers for C- and O-band dual-polarization coherent transceivers are analyzed with respect to their polarization splitting/combining performance. Due to scattered light in the grating's plane, a linear cross-polarization results. The latter is responsible for a limited polarization split ratio and a polarizations' non-orthogonality. The impact of these two quantities is evaluated by system-level simulations with regard to OSNR penalties in coherent systems. For both C- and O-band, a design modification for reduced penalties is proposed

A physical origin of cross-polarization and higher-order modes in two-dimensional (2D) grating couplers and the related device performance limitations

We explore scattering effects as the physical origin of cross-polarization and higher-order modes in silicon photonic 2D grating couplers (GCs). A simplified analytical model is used to illustrate that in-plane scattering always takes place, independent of grating geometry and design coupling angle. Experimental investigations show furthermore that grating design parameters are especially related to the modal composition of both the target- and the cross-polarization. Scattering effects and the associated cross-polarization and higher-order modes are indicated as the main reason for the higher 2D GC insertion loss compared to standard 1D GCs. In addition, they can be responsible for a variable 2D GC spectrum shape, bandwidth and polarization dependent loss.BMBF, 13N14936, Verbundprojekt: Photonic Embedding of Active Region LASER Chips on Silicon (PEARLS) - Teilvorhaben: Integration von III-V Gain-Chips ins obere Backend der Si-Photonik Plattform (BiCMOS

Towards coherent O-band data center interconnects

Upcoming generations of coherent intra/inter data center interconnects currently lack a clear path toward a reduction of cost and power consumption, which are the driving factors for these data links. In this work, the tradeoffs associated with a transition from coherent C-band to O-band silicon photonics are addressed and evaluated. The discussion includes the fundamental components of coherent data links, namely the optical components, fiber link and transceivers. As a major component of these links, a monolithic silicon photonic BiCMOS O-band coherent receiver is evaluated for its potential performance and compared to an analogous C-band device.TU Berlin, Open-Access-Mittel - 2021BMBF, 13N14932, Verbundprojekt: Photonic Embedding of Active Region LASER Chips on Silicon (PEARLS) - Teilvorhaben: Entwurf und Charakterisierung von eingebetteten, horizontal-gekoppelten Laser-Strukturen auf SiliziumEC/H2020/822002/EU/Lasercom-on-chip for next generation, high-speed satellite constelation interconnectivity/ORIONA

Virtual Machine Support for Many-Core Architectures: Decoupling Abstract from Concrete Concurrency Models

The upcoming many-core architectures require software developers to exploit concurrency to utilize available computational power. Today's high-level language virtual machines (VMs), which are a cornerstone of software development, do not provide sufficient abstraction for concurrency concepts. We analyze concrete and abstract concurrency models and identify the challenges they impose for VMs. To provide sufficient concurrency support in VMs, we propose to integrate concurrency operations into VM instruction sets. Since there will always be VMs optimized for special purposes, our goal is to develop a methodology to design instruction sets with concurrency support. Therefore, we also propose a list of trade-offs that have to be investigated to advise the design of such instruction sets. As a first experiment, we implemented one instruction set extension for shared memory and one for non-shared memory concurrency. From our experimental results, we derived a list of requirements for a full-grown experimental environment for further research

Coronary collaterals and risk for restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions: a meta-analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The benefit of the coronary collateral circulation (natural bypass network) on survival is well established. However, data derived from smaller studies indicates that coronary collaterals may increase the risk for restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was to explore the impact of the collateral circulation on the risk for restenosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science databases (2001 to 15 July 2011). Random effects models were used to calculate summary risk ratios (RR) for restenosis. The primary endpoint was angiographic restenosis > 50%.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 7 studies enrolling 1,425 subjects were integrated in this analysis. On average across studies, the presence of a good collateralization was predictive for restenosis (risk ratio (RR) 1.40 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.80); <it>P </it>= 0.009). This risk ratio was consistent in the subgroup analyses where collateralization was assessed with intracoronary pressure measurements (RR 1.37 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.83); <it>P </it>= 0.038) versus visual assessment (RR 1.41 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.99); <it>P </it>= 0.049). For the subgroup of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), the RR for restenosis with 'good collaterals' was 1.64 (95% CI 1.14 to 2.35) compared to 'poor collaterals' (<it>P </it>= 0.008). For patients with acute myocardial infarction, however, the RR for restenosis with 'good collateralization' was only 1.23 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.69); <it>P </it>= 0.212.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The risk of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is increased in patients with good coronary collateralization. Assessment of the coronary collateral circulation before PCI may be useful for risk stratification and for the choice of antiproliferative measures (drug-eluting stent instead bare-metal stent, cilostazol).</p

Molecular mechanisms of cell death: recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death 2018.

Over the past decade, the Nomenclature Committee on Cell Death (NCCD) has formulated guidelines for the definition and interpretation of cell death from morphological, biochemical, and functional perspectives. Since the field continues to expand and novel mechanisms that orchestrate multiple cell death pathways are unveiled, we propose an updated classification of cell death subroutines focusing on mechanistic and essential (as opposed to correlative and dispensable) aspects of the process. As we provide molecularly oriented definitions of terms including intrinsic apoptosis, extrinsic apoptosis, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT)-driven necrosis, necroptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, entotic cell death, NETotic cell death, lysosome-dependent cell death, autophagy-dependent cell death, immunogenic cell death, cellular senescence, and mitotic catastrophe, we discuss the utility of neologisms that refer to highly specialized instances of these processes. The mission of the NCCD is to provide a widely accepted nomenclature on cell death in support of the continued development of the field

<scp>ReSurveyEurope</scp>: A database of resurveyed vegetation plots in Europe

AbstractAimsWe introduce ReSurveyEurope — a new data source of resurveyed vegetation plots in Europe, compiled by a collaborative network of vegetation scientists. We describe the scope of this initiative, provide an overview of currently available data, governance, data contribution rules, and accessibility. In addition, we outline further steps, including potential research questions.ResultsReSurveyEurope includes resurveyed vegetation plots from all habitats. Version 1.0 of ReSurveyEurope contains 283,135 observations (i.e., individual surveys of each plot) from 79,190 plots sampled in 449 independent resurvey projects. Of these, 62,139 (78%) are permanent plots, that is, marked in situ, or located with GPS, which allow for high spatial accuracy in resurvey. The remaining 17,051 (22%) plots are from studies in which plots from the initial survey could not be exactly relocated. Four data sets, which together account for 28,470 (36%) plots, provide only presence/absence information on plant species, while the remaining 50,720 (64%) plots contain abundance information (e.g., percentage cover or cover–abundance classes such as variants of the Braun‐Blanquet scale). The oldest plots were sampled in 1911 in the Swiss Alps, while most plots were sampled between 1950 and 2020.ConclusionsReSurveyEurope is a new resource to address a wide range of research questions on fine‐scale changes in European vegetation. The initiative is devoted to an inclusive and transparent governance and data usage approach, based on slightly adapted rules of the well‐established European Vegetation Archive (EVA). ReSurveyEurope data are ready for use, and proposals for analyses of the data set can be submitted at any time to the coordinators. Still, further data contributions are highly welcome.</jats:sec

A physical origin of cross-polarization and higher-order modes in two-dimensional (2D) grating couplers and the related device performance limitations

We explore scattering effects as the physical origin of cross-polarization and higher-order modes in silicon photonic 2D grating couplers (GCs). A simplified analytical model is used to illustrate that in-plane scattering always takes place, independent of grating geometry and design coupling angle. Experimental investigations show furthermore that grating design parameters are especially related to the modal composition of both the target- and the cross-polarization. Scattering effects and the associated cross-polarization and higher-order modes are indicated as the main reason for the higher 2D GC insertion loss compared to standard 1D GCs. In addition, they can be responsible for a variable 2D GC spectrum shape, bandwidth and polarization dependent loss

Novel concept for VCSEL enhanced silicon photonic coherent transceiver

We present a novel concept for an integrated silicon photonic coherent transceiver using vertical-emitting laser sources at 1550 nm. In a state of the art external modulation configuration, we deploy a VCSEL on the transmit and a HCSEL on the receive side. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach by externally modulating the VCSEL with QPSK at up to 28 Gbaud. We also perform experiments with the VCSEL-HCSEL configuration in a slave-master optical injection locking setup for future data center interconnects. The results show stable locking conditions and the VCSEL is detuned to perform predominant phase modulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time direct phase modulation of a VCSEL under optical injection locking was demonstrated using two vertically emitting laser sources as master - and slave laser. © 2019 Author(s)