Review of Devices, Packaging, and Materials for Cryogenic Optoelectronics

Abstract

In this article, developments and techniques related to optical-fiber-coupled devices operating at cryogenic temperatures are reviewed. These devices include superconducting electronics and photodetectors. Superconducting circuits have a number of suitable characteristics in terms of speed and efficiency, lower power consumption, and traceability to fundamental quantum properties. Thus, applications are found in a number of technologies, such as communication and metrology. Often, the devices are coupled by an optical fiber link to an external source. A suitable design of the optical coupling at cryogenic temperatures entails considerations of electromagnetic behavior, geometry, components, material choices, and customized packaging schemes. Minimizing thermomechanical stresses and deformation is a challenge due to the extreme temperature span, from room temperature to below 10 K. Due to the thermomechanical properties at low temperatures, with high contraction and brittleness of some materials, careful design and testing is dictated for the method of mechanical attachment and alignment techniques to avoid failure. Solutions for the efficient, robust optical coupling remain a challenge for some of these devices.

ABS 3D printed solutions for cryogenic applications

“…The cryogenic tensile behavior of some polymers with good mechanical behavior, aromatic polyimide (Upilex-R, Upilex-S, Kapton) semicrystalline (PEN, PPS, PPT) films and epoxy resins (with various reinforcement modifiers such as carbon nanotubes or MMT) has been reported. Adhesive resins with higher shear strengths for cryogenic uses are also being investigated [12], [13]. Since the brittleness of polymers may limit their use in cryogenic environments, the increase of the impact strength and fracture toughness by addition of different modifiers in polymers such as epoxy resins is being studied [14].…”

Automated, deep reactive ion etching free fiber coupling to nanophotonic devices

“…Its speed, ease-of-use and applicability to all kinds of substrate materials as well as its potential to be fully automated makes it a genuine alternative to other fiber-to-device coupling mechanisms. 41…”

Novel silicone laminating materials for improved index matching in automotive display applications

“…The first design consideration is to ensure desirable optical properties including high light transparency; transparency retention (reliability) during aging, including yellowing resistance; and high refractive index (RI) 2–8 …”