An Electrochromic Nickel Phosphate Film for Large-Area Smart Window with Ultra-Large Optical Modulation

Exploring materials with high electrochemical activity is of keen interest for electrochemistry-controlled optical and energy storage devices.However,it remains a great challenge for transition metal oxides to meet this feature due to their low electron conductivity and insufficient reaction sites.Here,we propose a type of transition metal phosphate(NiHPO_(4)·3H_(2)O,NHP)by a facile and scalable electrodeposition method,which can achieve the capability of efficient ion accommodation and injection/extraction for electrochromic energy storage applications.Specifically,the NHP film with an ultra-high transmittance(approach to 100%)achieves a large optical modulation(90.8%at 500 nm),high coloration efficiency(75.4 cm^(2)C^(-1)at 500 nm),and a high specific capacity of 47.8 mAh g^(-1)at 0.4 A g^(-1).Furthermore,the transformation mechanism of NHP upon electrochemical reaction is systematically elucidated using in situ and ex situ techniques.Ultimately,a large-area electrochromic smart window with 100 cm^(2)is constructed based on the NHP electrode,displaying superior electrochromic energy storage performance in regulating natural light and storing electrical charges.Our findings may open up new strategies for developing advanced electrochromic energy storage materials and smart windows.

Optical modulation of repaired damage site on fused silica produced by CO2 laser rapid ablation mitigation

CO2 laser rapid ablation mitigation(RAM)of fused silica has been used in high-power laser systems owing to its advantages of high efficiency,and ease of implementing batch and automated repairing.In order to study the effect of repaired morphology of RAM on laser modulation and to improve laser damage threshold of optics,an finite element method(FEM)mathematical model of 351 nm laser irradiating fused silica optics is developed based on Maxwell electromagnetic field equations,to explore the 3D near-field light intensity distribution inside optics with repaired site on its surface.The influences of the cone angle and the size of the repaired site on incident laser modulation are studied as well.The results have shown that for the repaired site with a cone angle of 73.3°,the light intensity distribution has obvious three-dimensional characteristics.The relative light intensity on z-section has a circularly distribution,and the radius of the annular intensification zone increases with the decrease of z.While the distribution of maximum relative light intensity on y-section is parabolical with the increase of y.As the cone angle of the repaired site decreases,the effect of the repaired surface on light modulation becomes stronger,leading to a weak resistance to laser damage.Moreover,the large size repaired site would also reduce the laser damage threshold.Therefore,a repaired site with a larger cone angle and smaller size is preferred in practical CO2 laser repairing of surface damage.This work will provide theoretical guidance for the design of repaired surface topography,as well as the improvement of RAM process.

Research progress of cholesteric liquid crystals with broadband reflection characteristics in application of intelligent optical modulation materials

Cholesteric liquid crystals（CLCs） have recently sparked an enormous amount of interest in the development of soft matter materials due to their unique ability to self-organize into a helical supra-molecular architecture and their excellent selective reflection of light based on the Bragg relationship.Nowadays,by the virtue of building the self-organized nanostructures with pitch gradient or non-uniform pitch distribution,extensive work has already been performed to obtain CLC films with a broad reflection band.Based on authors＇ many years＇ research experience,this critical review systematically summarizes the physical and optical background of the CLCs with broadband reflection characteristics,methods to obtain broadband reflection of CLCs,as well as the application in the field of intelligent optical modulation materials.Combined with the research status and the advantages in the field,the important basic and applied scientific problems in the research direction are also introduced.

2D Nb_(2)CT_(x) MXene/MoS_(2) heterostructure construction for nonlinear optical absorption modulation

Two-dimensional(2D)nonlinear optical mediums with high and tunable light modulation capability can significantly stimulate the development of ultrathin,compact,and integrated optoelectronics devices and photonic elements.2D carbides and nitrides of transition metals(MXenes)are a new class of 2D materials with excellent intrinsic and strong light-matter interaction characteristics.However,the current understanding of their photo-physical properties and strategies for improving optical performance is insufficient.To address this issue,we rationally designed and in situ synthesized a 2D Nb_(2)C/MoS_(2) heterostructure that outperforms pristine Nb2C in both linear and nonlinear optical performance.Excellent agreement between experimental and theoretical results demonstrated that the Nb_(2)C/MoS_(2) inherited the preponderance of Nb_(2)C and MoS_(2) in absorption at different wavelengths,resulting in the broadband enhanced optical absorption characteristics.In addition to linear optical modulation,we also achieved stronger near infrared nonlinear optical modulation,with a nonlinear absorption coefficient of Nb_(2)C/MoS_(2) being more than two times that of the pristine Nb_(2)C.These results were supported by the band alinement model which was determined by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS)experiment and first-principal theory calculation.The presented facile synthesis approach and robust light modulation strategy pave the way for broadband optoelectronic devices and optical modulators.

Single-side-band optical modulation in SCM systems for high-speed optical transmission

In order to decrease dispersion penalty and increase the optical bandwidth efficiency,an optical single-side-band modulation(SSBM) scheme in sub-carrier multiplexing(SCM) is proposed.The principle of the SSBM is analytically presented,and a configuration for generating optical SSB signal is proposed using a balanced Mach-Zehnder electro-optic modulator.

Low-Driving-Voltage Optical Modulation Utilizing FWM for High-Speed Transmission Systems

We propose an optical transmitter with reduced modulator driving voltage. This reduction is achieved through an on-off ratio improvement technique based on FWM. We confirmed the feasibility of the method in a 43-Gbit/s experiment.

A Novel Technique of Measuring SOA Differential Carrier Lifetime and a -Factor Using SOA Optical Modulation Response

We demonstrate a new technique of measuring differential carrier lifetime and linewidth enhancement factor in a semiconductor optical amplifier. In our method, the optical responses and fiber transfer functions of a self-gain modulated SOA are measured and, from these, values of carrier lifetimes and linewidth enhancement factors are determined for various SOA input optical powers.

Optical QPSK/16QAM modulation based on serial-parallel MZM scheme in radio-over-fiber system

A novel scheme of optical modulation in 40 GHz radio-over fiber （RoF） system is proposed. It generates optical QPSK/16QAM signals in a serial-parallel structure of Mach-Zehnder modulators （MZMs）. The millimeter-wave is obtained with optical frequency multiplication （OFM）. Furthermore, modulation on optical-wave is transferred onto millimeter-wave. It can be used to increase transmission capacity of millimeter-wave RoF systems.

An optical modulation format generation scheme based on spectral filtering and frequency-to-time mapping

An optical modulation format generation scheme based on spectral filtering and frequency-to-time mapping is experimentally demonstrated. Many modulation formats with continuously adjustable duty radio and bit rate can be formed by changing the dispersion of dispersion element and the bandwidth of shaped spectrum in this scheme. In the experiment, non-return-to-zero(NRZ) signal with bit rate of 29.41 Gbit/s and 1/2 duty ratio return-to-zero(RZ) signal with bit rate of 13.51 Gbit/s are obtained. The maximum bit rate of modulation format signal is also analyzed.

Waveguide-integrated optical modulators with two-dimensional materials

Waveguide-integrated optical modulators are indispensable for on-chip optical interconnects and optical computing.To cope with the ever-increasing amount of data being generated and consumed,ultrafast waveguide-integrated optical modulators with low energy consumption are highly demanded.In recent years,two-dimensional(2D)materials have attracted a lot of attention and have provided tremendous opportunities for the development of high-performance waveguide-integrated optical modulators because of their extraordinary optoelectronic properties and versatile compatibility.This paper reviews the state-of-the-art waveguide-integrated optical modulators with 2D materials,providing researchers with the developing trends in the field and allowing them to identify existing challenges and promising potential solutions.First,the concept and fundamental mechanisms of optical modulation with 2D materials are summarized.Second,a review of waveguide-integrated optical modulators employing electro-optic,all-optic,and thermo-optic effects is provided.Finally,the challenges and perspectives of waveguide-integrated modulators with 2D materials are discussed.

Broadband all-fiber optical phase modulator based on photo-thermal effect in a gas-filled hollow-core fiber

We report broadband all-fiber optical phase modulation based on the photo-thermal effect in a gas-filled hollow-core fiber.The phase modulation dynamics are studied by multi-physics simulation.A phase modulator is fabricated using a 5.6-cm-long anti-resonant hollow-core fiber with pure acetylene filling.It has a half-wave optical power of 289 mW at 100 kHz and an average insertion loss 0.6 dB over a broad wavelength range from 1450 to 1650 nm.The rise and fall time constants are 3.5 and 3.7μs,respectively,2–3 orders of magnitude better than the previously reported microfiber-based photo-thermal phase modulators.The gas-filled hollow-core waveguide configuration is promising for optical phase modulation from ultraviolet to mid-infrared which is challenging to achieve with solid optical fibers.

High speed optical modulation in Ge quantum wells using quantum confined stark effect

We focus on the optimization of SiGe material deposition, the minimization of the parasitic capacitance of the probe pads for high speed, low voltage and high contrast ratio operation. The device fabrication is based on processes for standard Si electronics and is suitable for mass-production. We present observations of quantum confinement and quantum-confined Stark effect （QCSE） electroabsorption in Ge quantum wells （QWs） with SiGe barriers grown on Si substrates. Though Ge is an indirect gap semiconductor, the resulting effects are at least as clear and strong as seen in typical III-V QW structures at similar wavelengths. We also demonstrated a modulator, with eye diagrams of up to 3.5 GHz, a small driving voltage of 2.5 V and a modulation bandwidth at about 10 GHz. Finally, carrier dynamics under ultra-fast laser excitation and high- speed photocurrent response are investigated.

Optical Rogue Wave Excitation and Modulation on a Bright Soliton Background

We study rogue waves in an inhomogeneous nonlinear optical fiber with variable coefficients. An exact rogue wave solution that describes rogue wave excitation and modulation on a bright soliton pulse is obtained. Special properties of rogue waves on the bright soliton, such as the trajectory and spectrum, are analyzed in detail. In particular, our analytical results suggest a way of sustaining the peak shape of rogue waves on the soliton background by choosing an appropriate dispersion parameter.

Modulational Instability of Dipolar Bose-Einstein Condensates in Optical Lattices with Three-Body Interactions

Motivated by the recent experiment [Nature 530（2016） 194] in which a stable droplet in a dipolar quantum gas has been created by the interaction-induced instability, we focus on the modulation instability of an optically-trapped dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate with three-body interaction. Within the mean-field level, we analytically solve the discrete cubic-quintic Gross-Pitaevskii equation with dipole-dipole interaction loaded into a deep optical lattice and show how combined effects of the three-body interaction and dipole-dipole interaction on the condition of modulational instability. Our results show that the interplay of the three-body interaction and dipole-dipole interaction can dramatically change the modulation instability condition compared with the ordinary Gross-Pitaevskii equation. We believe that the predicted results in this work can be useful for the future possible experiment of loading a Bose-Einstein condensate of ^（164）Dy atoms with strong magnetic dipole-dipole interaction into an optical lattice.

Viologen-based flexible electrochromic devices

Electrochromic technology has gained significant attention in various fields such as displays,smart windows,biomedical monitoring,military camouflage,human-machine interaction,and electronic skin due to its ability to provide reversible and fast color changes under applied voltage.With the rapid development and increasing demand for flexible electronics,flexible electrochromic devices(FECDs)that offer smarter and more controllable light modulation hold great promise for practical applications.The electrochromic material(ECM)undergoing color changes during the electrochemical reactions is one of the key components in electrochromic devices.Among the ECMs,viologens,a family of organic small molecules with 1,1'-disubstituted-4,4'-dipyridinium salts,have garnered extensive research interest,due to their well-reversible redox reactions,excellent electron acceptance ability,and the ability to produce multiple colors.Notably,viologen-based FECDs demonstrate color changes in the liquid or semisolid electrolyte layer,eliminating the need for two solid electrodes and thus simplifying the device structure.Consequently,viologens offer significant potential for the development of FECDs with high optical contrast,fast response speed,and excellent stability.This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress and perspectives of viologen-based FECDs.It begins by summarizing the typical structure and recent exciting developments in viologen-based FECDs,along with their advantages and disadvantages.Furthermore,the review discusses recent advancements in FECDs with additional functionalities such as sensing,photochromism,and energy storage.Finally,the remaining challenges and potential research directions for the future of viologen-based FECDs are addressed.

All-fiber optical modulator based on no-core fiber and magnetic fluid as cladding

An all-fiber optical modulator, which is composed of a piece of no-core fiber spliced between two sections of singlemode fibers and uses magnetic fluid（MF） as the cladding of the no-core fiber section, is proposed and investigated experimentally. Due to the tunable refractive index and absorption coefficient of MF, the output intensity can be modulated by controlling an applied magnetic field. The dependences of the modulator＇s temporal response on the working wavelength,the magnetic field strength（H）, and the MF＇s concentration are investigated experimentally. The results are explained qualitatively by the dynamic response process of MF under the action of a magnetic field. The findings are helpful for optimizing this kind of modulator.

Transverse relaxation determination based on light polarization modulation for spin-exchange relaxation free atomic magnetometer

A transverse relaxation determination of spin-exchange relaxation free （SERF） magnetometer based on polarization modulation technique is proposed. Compared with the radio-frequency （RF） excitation and light intensity excitation meth- ods used in SERF magnetometer, the light polarization modulation method has a high stability in low-frequency range, which indicates a more accurate transverse relaxation measurement.

High-speed and broad optical bandwidth silicon modulator

A high-speed silicon modulator with broad optical bandwidth is proposed based on a symmetrically configured Mach- Zehnder interferometer. Careful phase bias control and traveling-wave design are used to improve the high-speed perfor- mance. Over a broadband wavelength range, high-speed operation up to 30 Gbit/s with a 4.5 dB-5.5 dB extinction ratio is experimentally demonstrated with a low driving voltage of 3 V.

Capacity Scaling Limits and New Advancements in Optical Transmission Systems

Optical transmission technologies have gone through several generations of development.Spectral efficiency has significant ly improved,and industry has begun to search for an answer to a basic question：What are the fundamental linear and nonlin ear signal channel limitations of the Shannon theory when there is no compensation in an optical fiber transmission system？Next-generation technologies should exceed the 100G transmis sion capability of coherent systems in order to approach the Shannon limit.Spectral efficiency first needs to be improved be fore overall transmission capability can be improved.The means to improve spectral efficiency include more complex modulation formats and channel encoding/decoding algorithms,prefiltering with multisymbol detection,optical OFDM and Ny quist WDM multicarrier technologies,and nonlinearity compen sation.With further optimization,these technologies will most likely be incorporated into beyond-100G optical transport sys tems to meet bandwidth demand.

Optical transmitter module with hybrid integration of DFB laser diode and proton-exchanged LiNbO_(3)modulator chip

In this work,a hybrid integrated optical transmitter module was designed and fabricated.A proton-exchanged Mach–Zehnder lithium niobate(LiNbO_(3))modulator chip was chosen to enhance the output extinction ratio.A fiber was used to adjust the rotation of the polarization direction caused by the optical isolator.The whole optical path structure,including the laser chip,lens,fiber,and modulator chip,was simulated to achieve high optical output efficiency.After a series of process improvements,a module with an output extinction ratio of 34 dB and a bandwidth of 20.5 GHz(from 2 GHz)was obtained.The optical output efficiency of the whole module reached approximately 21%.The link performance of the module was also measured.