Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Training & Research in Advanced Dispersion Engineered grating-waveguide Structures

Project description

Shining a light on tomorrow’s photonics innovators

High-power lasers operating in the 1 and 2 µm spectral regions are vital for applications ranging from telecommunications to medical devices. However, developing the precise components they require remains challenging. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TRADES project addresses this by training 15 researchers to design advanced dispersive gratings using cutting-edge fabrication techniques. These components aim for over 99.9 % efficiency and exceptional durability under intense laser pulses. Alongside technical expertise, TRADES provides training in innovation management and entrepreneurship, preparing fellows to turn their research into viable products. By combining hands-on research with business skills, the doctoral training network cultivates a new generation of photonics experts ready to push the boundaries of technology and fuel economic growth across Europe.

Objective

The TRADES doctoral training network aims to address a skills gap in the photonics sector by training a cohort of 15 doctoral candidates with the advanced skills necessary for the development of innovative and enabling photonics components. The network will deliver a research and training programme focussed on key steps in product development from concept, through sustainable production and precise characterisation, right up to implementation, and will equip the doctoral candidates with the interdisciplinary skills necessary to drive the research forward.

The network fellows will design and develop robust dispersive components based on sub-wavelength gratings waveguide structures to produce gratings for both intra-cavity and extra-cavity applications in high power lasers operating in the 1 and 2 µm spectral regions. To do so the fellows will push state of the art deposition, lithographic and etching techniques to their limits, and explore how they can be used to optimise the manufacturability, efficiency (>99.9%) and LIDT > 1J/cm2 for sub-ps pulses, of the final gratings.

In parallel the fellows will be provided with non-academic research exposure and training in innovation management, enterprise and entrepreneurship in a highly integrated format beyond the normal generic skills training. This will contribute to producing highly sought after graduates, who are capable of inventing, innovating and converting knowledge into products and services for economic benefit and are fluent in the business planning and innovation management aspects of their research. Preparing them for future careers in photonic technology research and development.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART
Net EU contribution
€ 870 816,96
Address
KEPLERSTRASSE 7
70174 Stuttgart
Germany
Region
Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Stuttgart, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (7)

Partners (13)