Silicon nitride on-chip C-band spontaneous emission generation based on lanthanide doped microparticles

Abstract

The integration of active light-emitting elements into planar photonic circuits on a silicon nitride platform remains challenging due to material incompatibilities and high-temperature processing. Proposed hybrid method embeds monodisperse luminescent particles into lithographically defined wells above a 200 nm-thick silicon nitride taper coupler. A fabrication process involving wells etching, particle deposition, and planarization enables precise integration while maintaining waveguide integrity. When pumped at 950 nm with a diode laser, the device emits broadband radiation in the 1500-1600 nm range, covering the optical telecommunication C-band. Numerical simulations yield an average coupling efficiency of 0.25% into the fundamental waveguide mode, suggesting significant potential for further device optimization. The approach provides a scalable route for integrating broadband telecommunications emitters on a silicon nitride platform.