As a typical photonic device, the hair-thin fiber waveguide can guide the transmission of electromagnetic waves in the microscopic field. Thanks to its extremely low transmission loss, optical fiber is widely used in today's communications. Professor Charles Kuen Kao, the father of fiber optics, was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics. What advances have been made in fiber waveguide-based photonics research after more than half a century of rapid development? Recently,the latest progress in the field of physics and optoelectronic engineering was presented in the first mini-workshop of the "Light of Physics" academic party held by the General Party Branch of the School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS.
Centered onfiber waveguides, the workshop mainly consisted of oral presentations and was divided into two sections, including two invited presentations, two presentations by faculty members and one presentation by a student.The total number of students and faculty on site was kept to about twenty because of the epidemic. Nevertheless, the students and faculty of the School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering had a lively and rigorous discussion on a wide range of academic topics in a relaxed, fun and yet serious atmosphere.
Figure 1: Opening Speech by Qi Hongxing
In this seminar, Qi Hongxing, Secretary of the Party General Branch and Vice President of the School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, gave the opening speech. Qi Hongxing explained the origin of the name of "Light of Physics" starting from the name of the forum: the previous "Wuguang Academy" corresponds to the humanities, while the academic party of Light of Physics is oriented to science. Therefore, he hoped that this event would promote scientific research and academic exchange and that with the light and guidance, we would not lose our reverence for nature, and would not lose our way on the path of science.
Figure 2: Dr. Yan Wei gave a special report
Then, the symposium was officially opened with an invited presentation by Yan Wei, an associate research fellow from Westlake University. He gave a keynote presentation entitled ''Micro- and Nano-optical Driving in Non-liquid Environments', which explained in depth how to manipulate multiple motions of micro-nano gold flakes on the fiber surface by pulsed laser, including the translation of the gold flakes along the fiber axially, the rotation around the fiber radially, and the spiral motion combining both. Through theoretical calculations and simulations, Dr. Yan Wei introduced a theory describing the interaction between elastic waves and friction, and revealed the important role of friction in driving. Currently, the accuracy of microscopic manipulation can reach 0.5 nm, and the results are expected to be extended to important applications such as optical switches.
Figure 3: Online Report by Dr. Zhou Jiaqi
The first part concluded with an invited presentation on "Ultrafast Laser Technology Based on Nonlinear Gain Modulation" by Zhou Jiaqi, an associate research fellow from the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Dr. Zhou Jiaqi gave a systematic presentation on the current research status and application value of ultrafast lasers today. He proposed a new technical means of converting single-frequency lasers into ultrafast lasers, i.e., nonlinear gain modulation, in response to the difficulties faced by the current types of methods for generating ultrafast lasers in simultaneously meeting the needs of having a simple system structure, low pulse noise, high energy, and flexible wavelength. The technology gathers a variety of advantages and has practical value and broad application prospects.
Figure 4: Gu Yitong gave an oral report
The second section was hosted by Dr. Zhou Ning from Hu Lili's lab, and a report was given by Dr. Wang Ning from Hu Lili's lab. Dr. Wang Ning specializes in the design and application of new optical devices based on waveguides, and actively conducts cross research on micro and nano fiber optics with artificial intelligence and life sciences. His presentation explores how to use artificial intelligence algorithms to efficiently designsuper configurable devices adapted to fiber optic waveguides, discusses 'lab-on-fiber' functional fiber optic probes, and looks forward to the application scenarios of next-generation fiber optic probes.Then, Gu Yitong from Hu Lili's lab delivered a student presentation titled 'Efficient Optical Coupling of High NA Fibers Enhanced by Metasurface Structures'. Although still in the first year of her master's studies, Gu detailed the preliminary preparation of the topic, theoretically calculated the numerical aperture of the microstructured fiber, and verified how to improve the fiber coupling efficiency curve by metal nanodot arrays, laying the foundation for achieving efficient optical coupling of high-NA fibers in the next step.
The final report of this forum was reported by Yang Xuezong, an associate research fellow from Chen Weibiao's lab. Based on the Raman gain without spatial hole-burning effect and its homogenous broadening-like line shape, diamond Raman lasers are considered to be a high-power single-frequency laser source with great potential. In this regard, Dr. Yang systematically summarized the latest research progress of single-frequency diamond Raman lasers, discussed in detail the characteristics of diamond single-frequency Raman lasers, and briefly described the expected development of single-frequency diamond Raman lasers.
Figure 5: Main participants of the forum. From the left: Yang Xuezong, Qi Hongxing, Zhou Ning, and Wang Ning
The event was hosted by the Party General Branch of the School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, jointly organized by Prof. Hu Lili's lab and Prof. Chen Weibiao's lab, with Dr. Wang Ning and Dr. Yang Xuezong specifically responsible for the organization of the forum. The Academic Party of the Light of Physic attempts to encourage active attendance by faculty and students, especially Ph.D. and Master students, with a relaxed and free atmosphere. This party emphasizes small scale and values participation and greater interaction. We look forward to meeting you next time!
Text by | Wang Ning
Photo by | Liu Yuxuan
Typesetter | Yu Xuan
Executive Editor | Yan Hao
