Making Silicon Emit Light Using Third Harmonic Generation

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical generation and enhancement of third-harmonic signals in silicon, aiming to develop silicon-based optical sources despite its indirect band gap limitations.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework for third-harmonic generation in silicon, highlighting potential applications in optical sources and signal processing.

Findings

Theoretical model for third-harmonic generation in silicon

Potential for silicon-based optical sources

Applications in all-optical signal processing

Abstract

Despite its excellent performance in microelectronic industry, silicon was not able to perform well in photonic devices arena. This is because the silicon has never been a good optical source mainly due to its indirect band gap structure. Many of the device functionalities in silicon have been reported, with an exception of, until recently, a reliable optical source. Silicon is a nonlinear material which makes use of its nonlinearities to realize various functionalities. This paper presents a theoretical treatment of generating and enhancing third-harmonic field which may be used as optical source, crystal state monitoring and all-optical signal processing applications.