Metamaterial-based optical dispersion compensation
View Patent ↗A metamaterial-based dispersion compensator includes a plurality of layers arranged in a geometric structure; wherein the plurality of layers comprise engineered metamaterials; wherein the engineered metamaterials and the geometric structure are configured to compensate dispersion across a wavelength spectrum. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator utilizes a specifically engineered frequency response, in a compact metamaterial form-factor, to correct for naturally occurring and problematic dispersion in physical systems such as in optical communication systems.
1. A metamaterial-based dispersion compensator, comprising:
a plurality of layers arranged in a geometric structure;
wherein the plurality of layers comprise engineered structures; and
wherein the engineered structures and the geometric structure are configured to compensate dispersion across a wavelength spectrum by temporally correcting a wavefront.
2. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers comprise a first metal layer, a second dielectric layer, and a third metal layer.
3. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 2 , wherein the first metal layer and the third metal layer comprise one of gold (Au) or silver (Ag);
wherein the second dielectric layer comprises one of magnesium fluoride (MgF 2 ) or silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ).
4. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 2 , wherein the second dielectric layer is configured to tune a capacitance of the engineered structures to alter dispersion compensation across the wavelength spectrum.
5. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 2 , wherein the second dielectric layer comprises materials for a semiconductor optical amplifier.
6. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 1 , wherein the wavelength spectrum comprises about 1530 to 1560 nm.
7. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 5 , wherein a length of the plurality of layers is about 150 nm.
8. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers are one of deposited on, attached to, or disposed to a core of an optical fiber.
9. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers are included in a photonic integrated circuit.
10. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 1 , wherein the geometric structure comprises a fishnet structure.
11. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 9 , wherein the fishnet structure comprises rows intersecting columns each about equally spaced therebetween.
12. The metamaterial-based dispersion compensator of claim 1 , wherein the engineered structures are abstracted as an LC circuit with capacitance tuned to provide a requisite profile of dispersion compensation.
13. A system, comprising:
a structured first metal layer, a second dielectric layer, and a third structured metal layer each formed in a geometric fishnet structure;
wherein the first metal layer, the second dielectric layer, and the third metal layer comprise engineered structures configured to compensate dispersion across a wavelength spectrum by temporally correcting a wavefront; and
wherein the engineered structures are abstracted as an LC circuit with capacitance tuned to provide a requisite profile of dispersion compensation.
14. A method, comprising:
depositing a first metal layer in a geometric fishnet structure;
depositing a second dielectric layer on the first metal layer in the geometric fishnet structure;
depositing a third metal layer on the second dielectric layer in the geometric fishnet structure; and
utilizing the first metal layer, the second dielectric layer, and the third metal layer to compensate dispersion on one or more optical wavelengths by temporally correcting a wavefront.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
performing the depositing steps on a core of an optical fiber.