Objective
The objectives of this research project is to design and produce novel widely tunable and selective photodetectors based on InP and related materials and combining optical and micro-electro-mechanical functions. The key performance goals will be those requested by Wavelength Division Multiplexing Systems (WDM) for telecommunication applications. The project combines the technology for optoelectronic-integrated circuits (OEICs) and Micro-Electro-Mechanical systems (MEMS), thus creating Micro-Optelectro-Mechanical Systems (MOEMS). Wavelength-selectable receivers will be implemented using an optical Fabry-Pérot resonant vertical cavity integrated with a photodetector. Continuous wavelength tuning will be obtained through micromechanical deformation of the vertical cavity by a movable membrane. These photodetectors will be an important component for WDM systems, combining in one device low control power, low insertion loss, no polarisation dependence, simple fibre coupling and reasonable tuning speed.
WDM system technology is currently considered world-wide for upgrading of telecommunications networks. Many network operators in Europe and elsewhere have plans or are starting to develop plans for introduction of WDM systems. Also, many manufacturers of telecom equipment are developing components, subsystems and systems for WDM, including the two industrial partners in this project, Thomson and Ericsson. A key device in any WDM implementation is the wavelength-selective receiver. In this project we will develop a new, compact and potentially low-cost technology that allows monolithic integration of a wavelength filter function and photodetector function. Direct exploitation of this technology is envisaged if competitive results are obtained.
Approach to be taken
The devices to be developed in the envisaged working program are based on a common concept, which is the use of mechanically tunable vertical optical Fabry-Pérot resonators where intra-cavity tuning is achieved via the displacement of movable membranes or suspended beams. Since the detector design has to be adapted to the optical filter characteristics for optimising selectivity and tunability, different types of photodiodes (MSM and PIN) will be investigated. The photodiode is either placed directly into the cavity in order to simplify device technology, or on the other hand, the photodiode is located outside the cavity for optimising separately design and technology of the optical filter and the photodiode. A capacitive actuation will be chosen.
The consortium brings together experts in micromachining and optoelectronic technology for OEIC / MEMS design and fabrication. Direct exploitation of the results and compatibility to WDM systems presently developed is ensured by participants involved in the telecommunication industry. Device testing by laboratory transmission experiments (BER measurements) is envisaged up to 2.5 Gb/s with a few (2 to 4) WDM channels.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensors
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networks
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Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
ECULLY
France