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Topological Insulator Vertical Cavity Laser Array

Objective

Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) are tiny semiconductor lasers, structured as pillars of few-microns diameter on a chip, emitting light from their surface. They are now the most commonly used lasers, e.g. in cell phones, car sensors, data transmission in fiber optic networks. Though widely used, the miniscule size of VCSELs sets a stringent limit on the output power it can generate. For years, scientists have sought to enhance the power emitted by such devices through combining many tiny VCSELs and attempting to force them to act as a single coherent laser, with limited success. In a recent breakthrough, which appeared in Science magazine, we presented a new scheme to force very many VCSELs to lock together and act as a single coherent laser source. Our breakthrough, a direct outcome of our ERC AdG, employs a unique geometrical arrangement of VCSELs on the chip that forces the light to move in a specific path a photonic topological insulator platform.

We propose to capitalize on the success and construct proof of concept technology that will bring this topological insulator VCSEL array a major step towards commercialization. We will design and construct a highly efficient VCSEL array on a novel topological platform optimized for reliability and scalability to large numbers of emitters, where all the emitters act as a single laser. The topological VCSEL array will be pumped electrically, operating at room temperature, and rely on quantum well optimized for emitting high power per emitter. We will define the topological insulator geometry with a reflectivity-modulation scheme that ensures reliability. Our proposed scheme, anticipated to be ready within 18 months, is scalable to a large number of VCSELs and will be a game changer in a plethora of technologies. It will pave the way to new applications that require orders of magnitude higher laser power while maintaining high coherence. It can revolutionize many applications we use in daily life.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC1

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Host institution

TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 150 000,00
Address
SENATE BUILDING TECHNION CITY
32000 Haifa
Israel

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Beneficiaries (1)

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