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Electro-optic frequency comb generation in the mid-infrared.

Project description

New on chip light sources for infrared spectroscopy

Mid-infrared (mid-IR) light causes molecular bonds to vibrate at specific frequencies. This creates molecular fingerprints, which can be explored for the detection and identification of chemicals and biological substances in non-invasive diagnostics and toxicity assays. However, current mid-IR systems are bulky and expensive, limiting their use outside laboratories. The goal of the ERC-funded Electrophot project is to develop compact and cost-effective spectroscopic systems using frequency comb sources developed within silicon-germanium photonic circuits. The generated portable device will pave the way for rapid chemical detection in the field.

Objective

Mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy is a nearly universal way to identify chemical and biological substances and to perform non-invasive diagnostics. More specifically, the 6-15 µm wavelength range can be exploited to detect small traces of environmentally hazardous and toxic substances for a variety of applications including defense, security and industrial monitoring. While current optical systems in the mid-IR range are based on bulky assemblies of discrete devices, a challenging task is to make mid-IR spectroscopy accessible in remote areas, driving the development of compact and cost-effective solutions to replace table-top systems.
In the project we aim at addressing new routes for high resolution spectroscopic systems based on dual-comb spectroscopy by developing innovative frequency comb sources. The strategy developed in ELECTROPHOT is based on the unique properties of graded index Silicon Germanium (SiGe) photonics circuits, which are their transparency in a wide spectral range together with the ability to fine tune both the electronic bandgap and refractive index of SiGe alloys, to make large progress in mid-IR photonics. Based on these capabilities, the original idea of the project is to exploit simultaneously optical nonlinear and electro-optic comb generation, to generate compact frequency comb sources providing simultaneously wideband operation with fine and tunable resolution. Interestingly the photonics circuits will leverage from reliable and high-volume fabrication technologies, already developed for microelectronic integrated circuits to provides a new playground in mid-IR photonics.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) ERC-2022-ADG

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Host institution

UNIVERSITE PARIS-SACLAY
Net EU contribution
€ 1 981 769,50
Address
BATIMENT BREGUET - 3 RUE JOLIOT CURIE
91190 Gif-Sur-Yvette
France
Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Essonne
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 1 999 084,00

Beneficiaries (3)