3D‐Printed Möbius Microring Lasers: Topology Engineering in Photonic Microstructures. Issue 33 (24th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Xianqing; Zhou, Wu; Liu, Yingying; Shu, Fang‐Jie; Zou, Chang‐Ling; Dong, Chunhua; Wei, Cong; Dong, Haiyun; Zhang, Chuang; Yao, Jiannian; Zhao, Yong Sheng
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 18:Issue 33(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-07-24
• Subjects: 3D‐printing -- Möbius microring lasers -- photonic microstructures -- topology engineering; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202812
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Manipulating photons in artificially structured materials is highly desired in modern photonic technology. Nontrivial topological structures are rapidly emerging as a state‐of‐art platform for achieving unprecedented fascinating phenomena of photon manipulation. However, the current studies mainly focus on planar structures, and the fabrication of photonic microstructures with specific topological geometric features still remains a great challenge. Extending the topological photonics to 3D microarchitectures is expected to enrich the photon manipulation capabilities and further advance the topological photonic devices. Here, a femtosecond laser direct writing technique is employed to fabricate 3D topological Möbius microring resonators from dye‐doped polymer. The high‐quality‐factor Möbius microring resonator supports a unique spin‐orbit coupled lasing at very low threshold. Due to the spin‐orbit coupling induced geometric/Berry phase, the Möbius microrings, in striking contrast with ordinary microrings, output laser signals with all polarization states. The manipulation of miniaturized coherent light sources in the fabricated Möbius microrings represents a significant step forward toward 3D topological photonics that offers a novel design philosophy for functional photonic and optoelectronic devices. Abstract : Topology engineering is demonstrated on 3D‐printed dye‐doped polymeric Möbius microrings lasers originating from their topological microstructures. Polarization conversion of resonant light is observed in the as‐printed Möbius microrings due to the spin‐orbit coupled Berry phase induced by the topological twist, which offers a novel platform for the manipulation of light signals to realize desired functionalities.