Reconfigurable Photonics Based on Phase Change Materials

Reconfigurable photonics provides a promising solution for manipulating the routing and phase delay within photonic systems, which is crucial for various applications including large-scale optical switching networks, neuromorphic computing, and active metasurfaces. However, traditional reconfigurable photonic components that rely on thermo-optic or electro-optic effects suffer from drawbacks such as high power consumption and large device footprint. These limitations prevent them from meeting the growing demand for scalability in photonic systems.

Phase change materials (PCM), such as chalcogenides and correlated oxides, exhibit a remarkable refractive index change during solid phase transitions. This unique property makes PCM an emerging and promising platform for reconfigurable photonics. By harnessing the extraordinary properties of PCM, it becomes possible to achieve efficient and compact reconfigurable photonic components. This advancement in reconfigurable photonics holds great potential for various applications and can pave the way for the future development of advanced optical technologies.

Organizers:

Hongtao Lin, Zhejiang University

Juejun Hu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Speakers:

Arka Majumdar, University of Washington

Juejun Hu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Linjie Zhou, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Junbo Yang, National University of Defense Technology

Zhaohui Li, Sun Yat-sen University

Zengguang Cheng, Fudan University

Hongtao Lin, Zhejiang University