Dispersion properties of silicon and silica photonic nanowires for nonlinear applications

Dispersion properties of air-clad and silica-coated silicon photonic wires for nonlinear applications are investigated with exact solutions of Maxwell´s equations. We show that the GVD of silicon nanowires can be tailored for different wavelengths in the infrared region of the spectrum. In comparison, air-clad silica tapered fibers require diameters of several micrometers in order to extend the zero dispersion points to the infrared wavelengths. By immersing silica wires in liquid we can obtain a minimum and flat GVD region in the infrared.