Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Ph.D., Physics, June 2006

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
B.S., Honors Physics, May 1999

Selected Journal Publications

1. Peter T. Rakich, Miloš A. Popovic, Zheng Wang, "General treatment of optical forces and potentials in mechanically variable photonic systems," Optics  Express 17, 18116-18135 (2009) [PDF]
   

2. Peter T. Rakich, Marin Soljacic, Yoel Fink, “Efficient mid-IR spectral generation via spontaneous 5th order cascaded-Raman amplification in silica fibers” Optics Letters 33,1690-1692 (2008)  [PDF] [Selected to be featured in the September 2008 issue of Virtual Journal of Ultrafast Science, Vol. 7, Issue 9.].
3. T. Barwicz, C.W. Holzwarth, Peter T. Rakich, M.A. Popović, E.P. Ippen and Henry I. Smith, “Optical loss in silicon microphotonic waveguides induced by metallic contamination,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 131108 (2008) [PDF].
4. Peter T. Rakich, Milos A. Popovic, Marin Soljacic, Erich P. Ippen, “Trapping corralling and spectral bonding of optical resonances through optically induced potentials” Nature Photonics 1, 658 - 665 (2007) [PDF paper, News and Views article (by M. Dinu)]
5. Peter T. Rakich, Mike Watts, Milos Popovic, Tymon Barwicz, Henry I. Smith, Erich P. Ippen, “Ultra-wide tuning of photonic microcavities via evanescent field perturbation” Optics Letters 31, 1241-1243 (2006) [PDF] [Selected to be featured in Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science & Technology, Vol. 13, Issue 20 (May 22, 2006).]
6. Peter T. Rakich, Marcus Dahlem, Sheila Tandon, Mihai Ibanescu, Marin Soljacic, Gale Petrich, Leslie Kolodziejski, John D. Joannopoulos, and Erich P. Ippen, “Achieving centimeter-scale super-collimation in ultra large area photonic crystals” Nature MaterialsPDF]
   5, 93-96 (2006) [
7. Tymon Barwicz, Michael R. Watts, Miloš A. Popović, Peter T. Rakich, Luciano Socci, Franz X. Kärtner, Erich P. Ippen, and Henry I. Smith, “Polarization Transparent Microphotonics in the Strong Confinement Limit” Nature Photonics 1, 57-60 (2007) [PDF paper, PDF supplementary info, PDF News and Views article (by J. Fini)].
8. Miloš A. Popović, Michael R. Watts, Peter T. Rakich, Tymon Barwicz, Luciano Socci, Franz X. Kärtner, Erich P. Ippen, and Henry I. Smith, “Multistage high-order microring-resonator add-drop filters” Optics Letters 31, 2571-2573 (2006) [PDF].
9. Minghao Qi, Elefterios Lidorikis, Peter T. Rakich, Steven G. Johnson, J. D. Joannopoulos, Erich P. Ippen, and Henry I. Smith, “A three-dimensional optical photonic crystal with designed point defects,” Nature 429, 538 (2004) [PDF]
   
10. Peter T. Rakich, Hideyuki Sotobayashi, Juliet T. Gopinath, Steven G. Johnson, Jason W. Sickler, John D. Joannopoulos, and Erich P. Ippen,“Nano-Scale Photonic Crystal Microcavitiy Characterization with an All Fiber Based  1.2-2.0 µm Supercontinuum” Opt. Express 13, 821 (2004) [PDF].
    
11. Chee Wei Wong, Peter T. Rakich, Steven G. Johnson, Minghao Qi, Henry I. Smith, Erich P. Ippen, Lionel C. Kimerling, Yongbae Jeon, George Barbastathis, and Sang-Gook Kim, “Strain-tunable silicon photonic band gap microcavities in optical waveguides”  Appl. Phys. Lett. 84, 2955 (2004) [PDF].
    
12. Solomon Assefa, Peter T. Rakich, Peter Bienstman, Steven G. Johnson, Gale S. Petrich, John D. Joannopoulos, Leslie A. Kolodziejski, Erich P. Ippen, and Henry I. Smith, “Adiabatic taper 2D photonic crystal formed by dielectric rods” Appl. Phys. Lett. 85, 6110 (2004) [PDF].
    
13. Tymon Barwicz, Milos A. Popovic, Peter T. Rakich, Michael R. Watts, Hermann A. Haus, Erich P. Ippen, and Henry I. Smith “Microring-resonator-based add-drop filters in SiN: fabrication and analysis,” Opt. Express 12, 1437 (2004) [PDF].
14. Gregory Nielson, Dilan Seneviratne, Francisco Lopez-Royo, Peter T. Rakich, Harry L. Tuller, George Barbastathis, “Integrated Wavelength Selective MEMS Switching with Ring Resonator Filters” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 17, 1190 (2005) [PDF]
    
15. Charles Holzwarth, Tymon Barwicz, Milos A. Popovic, Peter T. Rakich, Erich P. Ippen, Franz Kartner, Henry Smith, “Accurate resonant frequency spacing of microring filters without postfabrication trimming” Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B 24,  Nov. 2006, p 3244-7 [PDF].
16. Tymon Barwicz, Milos A. Popovic, Michael R. Watts, Peter T. Rakich,  Erich P. Ippen,  Henry I. Smith, “Fabrication of add-drop filters based on frequency-matched microring resonators”  Journal of Lightwave Technology 24,  May 2006, p 2207-18 [PDF].
17. Shunji Akiyama, Milos A. Popovic, Peter T. Rakich, Jurgen Michel, Herman A. Haus, Erich P.  Ippen, Lionel Kimerling, “Air trench bends and splitters for dense optical integration in low index contrast”, Journal of Lightwave Technology 23,  July 2005, p 2271-7 [PDF].
18. Alexei A. Erchak, Daniel J. Ripin, Shanhui Fan, Peter T. Rakich, John D. Joannopoulos, Erich P. Ippen, Gale S. Petrich, and Leslie A. Kolodziejski, “Enhanced coupling to vertical radiation using a two-dimensional photonic crystal in a semiconductor light-emitting diode,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 78, 563 (2001) [PDF].
    

Patents

1. P.T. Rakich and M.A. Popović, “Optical resonator systems with optomechanical forces and potentials,” U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/984,253 (MIT case 12935), filed Oct 2007, pending.

Invited Seminars

1. P.T. Rakich  “Manipulating microcavities with optical forces and potentials: Toward self-aligning “smart” microcavities and picometer-scale optomechanical control,” IEEE Lasers & Electro-Optics Society 30th Anniversary Lecture Series, MIT Lincoln Laboratory,  Jan. 10, 2008

Invited Conference Presentations

1. M.A. Popović and P.T. Rakich, "'Smart' nanophotonic elements and all-optical feedback control through optical forces and potentials (Invited)," scheduled for presentation at The XXIX General Assembly of the International Union of Radio Science (Union Radio Scientifique Internationale-URSI), Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel, Chicago, Illinois, USA, August 15, 2008.
2. P. T. Rakich, H. Sotobayashi, J. T. Gopinath, J. W. Sickler, C. W. Wong, M. Qi, S. G. Johnson, E. Lidorikis, J. D. Joannopoulos, H. I. Smith, and E. P. Ippen, “Broadband optical studies of 1D and 3D photonic crystals”, in Proc. of Networks and Optical communications, London, 2005 (invited).
3. P. T. Rakich, H. Sotobayashi, J. T. Gopinath, J. W. Sickler, C. W. Wong, M. Qi, S. G. Johnson, E. Lidorikis, J. D. Joannopoulos, H. I. Smith, and E. P. Ippen, “Broadband optical studies of 1D and 3D photonic crystals”, in Proc. of Optics East, Boston, Cambridge, 2005 (invited).
4. P. T. Rakich, H. Sotobayashi, J. T. Gopinath, J. W. Sickler, C. W. Wong, S. G. Johnson, M. Qi, E. Lidorikis, H. I. Smith, J. D. Joannopoulos, and E. P. Ippen, "Broadband optical studies of 1-D and 3-D photonic crystals (invited)," Proc. SPIE Int. Soc. Opt. Eng., vol. 6017, pp. 6011702 1-6, 2005.
5. M.A. Popović, T. Barwicz, M.S. Dahlem, F. Gan, C.W. Holzwarth, P.T. Rakich, M.R. Watts, H.I. Smith, E.P. Ippen and F.X. Kärtner, “Reconfigurable Silicon Microphotonic Circuits with Quenchable Resonant States for Telecom Applications (Invited),” scheduled for presentation at Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC), Feb. 2008.
6. T. Barwicz, M.A. Popović, F. Gan, M.S. Dahlem, C.W. Holzwarth, P.T. Rakich, E.P. Ippen, F.X. Kärtner and H.I. Smith, “Reconfigurable silicon photonic circuits for telecommunication applications,” scheduled for presentation at Photonics West LASE2008, San Jose, CA, Jan 19-24, 2008.
7. T. Barwicz, M.A. Popović, M.R. Watts, P.T. Rakich, C.W. Holzwarth, F.X. Kärtner, E.P. Ippen and H.I. Smith, “Strategies for the successful realization of strong confinement microphotonic devices,” scheduled for presentation at Photonics West OPTO2008, San Jose, CA, Jan 19-24, 2008.
8. M.A. Popović, T. Barwicz, M.R. Watts, P.T. Rakich, M.S. Dahlem, F. Gan, C.W. Holzwarth, L. Socci, H.I. Smith, F.X. Kärtner, E.P. Ippen and H.I. Smith, “Strong-confinement microring resonator photonic circuits (Invited),” presented at the 20th Annual Meeting of the IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society (LEOS), Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Oct 2007, paper TuCC3 [PDF].
9. H.I. Smith,  T. Barwicz,  C.W. Holzwarth,  M.A. Popović, M.R. Watts, P.T. Rakich, M. Qi, R. Barreto, F.X. Kärtner and E.P. Ippen, “Strategies for fabricating strong-confinement microring filters and circuits (Invited),”  in Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC/NFOEC) Technical Digest (Optical Society of America, Washington, DC, March 25-29, 2007), paper OThC2 [PDF].
10. T. Barwicz, H. Byun, F. Gan, C.W. Holzwarth, M.A. Popović, P.T. Rakich, M.R. Watts, E.P. Ippen, F.X. Kärtner, H.I. Smith, J.S. Orcutt, R.J. Ram, V. Stojanović, O.O. Olubuyide, J.L. Hoyt, S. Spector, M. Geis, M. Grein, T. Lyszczarz and J.U. Yoon, “Silicon photonics for compact, energy-efficient interconnects (Inv.),” J. Opt. Netw. 6, 63-73 (2007) [PDF].
11. F.X. Kärtner, R. Amatya, G. Barbastathis, H. Byun,  F. Gan, C.W. Holzwarth, J.L. Hoyt, E.P. Ippen, O.O. Olubuyide, J.S. Orcutt, M. Park, M. Perrott, M.A. Popović, P.T. Rakich, R.J. Ram, H.I. Smith, S. Takahashi, M. Geis, M.E. Grein, T.M. Lyszczarz, S.J. Spector and J.U. Yoon,  “Silicon Electronic Photonic Integrated Circuits for High Speed Analog to Digital Conversion (Invited),” presented at the 3rd International Conference on Group IV Photonics (GFP 2006), Ottawa, Canada, Sep 14, 2006, paper ThC3 [PDF].
12. S.J. Spector, T.M. Lyszczarz, M.W. Geis, D.M. Lennon, J.U. Yoon, M.E. Grein, R.T. Schulein, F.X. Kärtner, R. Amatya, G. Barbastathis, H. Byun, F. Gan, C.W. Holzwarth, J.L. Hoyt, E.P. Ippen, O.O. Olubuyide, J.S. Orcutt, M.J. Park, M.H. Perrott, M.A. Popović, P.T. Rakich, R.J. Ram, H.I. Smith, “Integrated optical components in silicon for high speed analog-to-digital conversion (Invited),” in Proceedings of the SPIE, Silicon Photonics II; vol. 6477-paper 22, Jan. 2007  (Photonics West 2007, San Jose, CA, Jan 24, 2007) [PDF].
13. F.X. Kärtner, S. Akiyama, G. Barbastathis, T. Barwicz, H. Byun, D.T. Danielson, F. Gan, F. Grawert, C.W. Holzwarth, J.L. Hoyt, E.P. Ippen, M. Kim, L.C. Kimerling, J. Liu, J. Michel, O.O. Olubuyide, J.S. Orcutt, M. Park, M. Perrott, M.A. Popović, P.T. Rakich, R.J. Ram, H.I. Smith and  M.R. Watts, “Electronic photonic integrated circuits for high speed, high resolution, analog to digital conversion (Invited),” in Proceedings of the SPIE, Silicon Photonics; vol. 6125, pp. 612503, Jan. 2006. (Photonics West 2006, San Jose, CA, Jan. 2006) [PDF].
14. M.R. Watts, T. Barwicz, M.A. Popović, M. Qi, P.T. Rakich, L. Socci, E.P. Ippen, F.X. Kärtner, H.I. Smith and M. Romagnoli, “High-index-contrast microphotonics, from concept to implementation (Invited),” in Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), OSA Technical Digest (Optical Society of America, Washington DC, May 21-26, 2006), paper CTuM3 [PDF].
15. T. Barwicz, M.A. Popović, P.T. Rakich, M.R. Watts, F.X. Kärtner, E.P. Ippen and H.I. Smith, “Fabrication control of the resonance frequencies of high-index-contrast microphotonic cavities (Invited),” in Proc. Integrated Photonics Research and Applications and Nanophotonics Topical Meeting (IPRA/Nano), Uncasville, Connecticut, April 2006, paper JWA3 [PDF].

Selected Press Coverage and Independent Commentary

1. W. Thomas Payne, “MIT researchers develop theory for powering chips with light: electricity eliminated and replaced by single wavelengths of light,” Associated Content, posted Nov 15, 2007.
2. C. Azuri, “MIT achieves breakthrough in smart optical microchip technology,” TMCnet.com, posted Nov 7, 2007.
3. A. Trafton, “MIT works toward ‘smart’ optical microchips: light-powered micro-machines could advance telecommunications,” MIT Tech Talk, web edition, posted Thu, Nov 1, 2007.  Press release carried by over 20 news websites, including:
4. “‘Smart’ optical chip proposed”, photonics.com, posted Nov 5, 2007.
5. “Scientists create smart microchip theory,” United Press International, posted Nov 5, 2007.
6. M. Dinu, “Light and motion: cavities learn to adapt,” News and Views, Nature Photonics 1, 616-618 (2007).
7. J. Robertson (Associated Press), “MIT Team Details Optics-On-A-Chip Device,” Washington Post, posted Feb 11, 2007.
8. Also carried by: Forbes.com, New York Times, Boston Globe, USA Today, Business Week, The China Post, San Francisco Chronicle, International Herald Tribune, Wired Magazine, ABC 5 Eyewitness News, Fox News, Sydney Morning Herald (Australia).
9. D. Halber, “MIT 'optics on a chip' may revolutionize telecom, computing: Research integrates photonic circuitry on a silicon chip,” MIT Tech Talk, web edition, posted Thu, Feb 6, 2007.  Press release carried by over 100 news websites, including:
10. “Optics on a Chip' Melds Photonic Circuitry, Silicon”, photonics.com, Feb, 7, 2007.
11. K. Bullis, “A Nano Solution to Increasing Bandwidth - MIT researchers develop microphotonic devices for communications, clearing the way for higher-performance optical networks,” MIT Technology Review Magazine, web edition, posted Wed, Jan 17, 2007.
12. J. Fini, “Microphotonic devices: The polarization gates open,” News and Views, Nature Photonics 1, 17-18 (2007).
13. “Microring Resonators Make Efficient Add/Drop Multiplexers for WDM – Tiny rings offer performance not achievable in larger devices,” Photonics Spectra, Nov 2006, p. 96-97.
14. David A. B. Miller, “Supercollimation goes a long way,” News and Views, Nature  Materials 5, 93-96 (2006)