Objective In PhotonICSWARM, I will use silicon photonics technology to build general-purpose, programmable optical chips that rely on topologies of distributed waveguide circuits governed by distributed control algorithms.In silicon photonics, optical signals are transported along waveguides on photonic integrated circuits and processed by elements that filter specific wavelengths or modulate signals. Silicon photonics is the choice technology for high-speed communication links, but also for different types of sensors. However, photonic circuits are still very simple compared to today's electronics, because they use connectivity topologies where light follows a single path. The optical chip concepts I propose in PhotonICSWARM start from radically different topologies, which will allow 1-2 orders of magnitude scaling in complexity. They are based on tightly interconnected, distributed optical signal paths. This high connectivity will enable much more complex optical functions, and to realise these I will apply adaptive, distributed control algorithms. I will explore different optical waveguide concepts: waveguide meshes, phased arrays, lattices of resonators, lateral leakage and 2-D holographic gratings. These will be fabricated on existing state-of-the-art technology platforms, so PhotonICSWARM will rather revolve around the theory, simulation, design and characterisation methodologies.With these distributed photonic circuits I will create programmable photonics that can be applied for many applications, as the optical equivalent of electronic field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA). They can enable on-chip parallel optical signal processing for pattern recognition or real-time encryption of high-bitrate optical data streams. Programmable circuits can speed up the research cycle, taking much less time to test new photonic chip concepts, and over time make integrated photonics accessible to the 'Maker community'. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsignal processingnatural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicstopologyengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencepattern recognitionnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2016-COG - ERC Consolidator Grant Call for proposal ERC-2016-COG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant Coordinator UNIVERSITEIT GENT Net EU contribution € 1 990 000,00 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 Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITEIT GENT Belgium Net EU contribution € 1 990 000,00 Address Sint pietersnieuwstraat 25 9000 Gent See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
