We present our recent experimental studies of the nonlinear optical performances of semiconductor waveguides and devices at the telecom C-band. In particular, we explore optical nonlinearity in InGaAsP/InP and silicon nitride (SiN) at the wavelength range around 1550 nm. Some of the materials explored in this study exhibit nonlinear and free-carrier absorption, posing a considerable challenge to functional nonlinear optical interactions. We perform experimental measurements of the nonlinear optical effects under such realistic conditions and analyze the impact of free carriers on the beneficial optical nonlinearities in the structures under investigation.

InP and InGaAsP are promising materials for nonlinear optics, given that this platform is already well consolidated for the construction of active optical components (e.g. lasers, amplifiers, detectors and modulators). Although these active building blocks are readily available for commercialization in foundries, the platform’s capabilities could be further extended by adding passive nonlinear components. We investigate the feasibility of frequency mixing effects in the presence of nonlinear losses (namely two-photon absorption and free carrier absorption).

Third-harmonic generation in silicon nitride waveguides is an ideal source of coherent visible light, suited for ultrafast pulse characterization, telecom signal monitoring and self-referenced comb generation due to its relatively large nonlinear susceptibility and CMOS compatibility. We demonstrate third-harmonic generation in silicon nitride waveguides where a fundamental transverse mode at 1,596 nm is phase-matched to a TM02 mode at 532 nm, confirmed by the far-field image.

Ksenia Dolgaleva is an associate professor at the University of Ottawa and a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Integrated Photonics. Her cross-appointment with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Physics serves her well since she works at the intersection of fundamental optics and practical photonic engineering.

Her research spans integrated photonics, nonlinear optical materials and optical device technologies for next-generation communication systems. She has trained several graduate students and published widely in these areas, contributing to advances that bridge scientific discovery and real-world applications.

Professor Dolgaleva is also an accomplished educator who is known for her clear, engaging teaching style, which she adapts to suit diverse audiences. She has authored a well-received optics textbook that introduces complex physical concepts to learners without prior background in the subject. Beyond the university classroom, she has extensive experience in explaining optics to students from kindergarten to Grade 12, adapting concepts to their level of understanding with exceptional success.

She is committed to both research excellence and accessible education, and brings a unique combination of technical expertise and communication skill to her teaching, outreach and professional training activities.