Objective My group will explore the new field of photonic integrated circuits for the mid infrared (MIR) wavelength band based on high-index contrast waveguide structures. This research is fueled by the need for compact, integrated solutions for spectroscopic sensor systems in the MIR for biomedical applications and environmental monitoring, since most molecules have fingerprint absorption lines in this wavelength range. The project is based on the use of high index contrast group IV waveguide systems. To extend the functionality of the photonic integrated circuit, my group will heterogeneously integrate other materials (III-V semiconductors, LiNbO3, MCT, chalcogenides, polymers) on the high index contrast waveguide system for particular optical functions. My group will start exploring this field by focusing on three cornerstone applications. The research will focus on the realization of a MIR lab-on-a-chip spectroscopic system, a fully integrated MIR Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy system (FTIR) and an integrated optical parametric oscillator to address new wavelength ranges, all integrated on a silicon photonic integrated circuit. Each of these three cornerstones would be world s first mid-infrared systems-on-a-chip and thus a breakthrough. Inherently this makes this a relatively high risk/very high gain proposal. My group will combine the strengths of the two institutes which support this proposal, i.e. the world class silicon photonics and heterogeneous integration technology at Ghent University/IMEC and the world class III-V and plasmonic technology at the Technical University of Eindhoven. I strongly believe that my program will open a whole new window of opportunities in the mid-infrared with a large impact on science and society. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciencesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopyabsorption spectroscopynatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloidsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyobservational astronomyinfrared astronomy Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-PE7 - ERC Starting Grant - Systems and communication engineering Call for proposal ERC-2010-StG_20091028 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Host institution UNIVERSITEIT GENT EU contribution € 1 258 200,00 Address SINT PIETERSNIEUWSTRAAT 25 9000 Gent Belgium See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Gunther Roelkens (Dr.) Administrative Contact Nathalie Vandepitte (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Beneficiaries (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITEIT GENT Belgium EU contribution € 1 258 200,00 Address SINT PIETERSNIEUWSTRAAT 25 9000 Gent See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Gunther Roelkens (Dr.) Administrative Contact Nathalie Vandepitte (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT EINDHOVEN Netherlands EU contribution € 193 200,00 Address GROENE LOPER 3 5612 AE Eindhoven See on map Region Zuid-Nederland Noord-Brabant Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact S -Suzanne Udo (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
