Objective
The goal of this proposal is to assess the viability of silicon-sensitised erbium doped materials systems for optical device applications. Our work will focus on silicon nanoclusters of 2-4nm diameter that possess novel optical properties, including the ability to efficiently transfer optical excitation to nearby luminescent species. We aim to exploit the optical sensitisation effects of these nanoclusters, which allow us to couple into Er ions far more effectively than is possible in conventional rare ear th-doped glasses. The broad absorption spectrum of the nanoclusters and their very large excitation cross-section will enable us to develop planar optical devices that are pumped in a top down configuration using cheap broad-band sources such as LEDs.
Compared to the expensive lasers currently used, we stand to achieve a potential 100-fold reduction in pump power costs by deploying LEDs instead, opening the door for such devices to find applications in local area networks. An amplifier in a waveguide geometry can also allow the fabrication of complex integrated optical circuits, and combine them with silicon technology to achieve electro-optical signal conversion. The erbium-doped silicon-rich silica material will be first characterised and the transfer mechanism will be studied; the fabrication parameters will be varied in order to optimise the efficiency and reduce possible excited state absorption processes. Then, channel waveguides will be characterised (optical gain, scattering, absorption...) under different pumping conditions. The final aim of the project is to demonstrate LED-pumped waveguide amplifiers and lasers in the 1.5 micron range.
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. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics spectroscopy absorption spectroscopy
- engineering and technology materials engineering amorphous solids
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering information engineering telecommunications
- natural sciences physical sciences optics laser physics
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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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.
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.
Coordinator
SOUTHAMPTON
United Kingdom
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.