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

Collision of Light in Dielectric Resonators - Optically Induced Symmetry Breaking

Objective

What happens when two lasers are sent in counterpropagating directions through a medium? Surprisingly, this question has only attracted limited attention in the past. However, the nonlinear interaction of counterpropagating light in resonators has fascinating implications. One effect that we recently discovered is the spontaneous symmetry breaking and optically induced nonreciprocity of counter-propagating optical modes. This symmetry breaking manifests itself in a remarkable effect: light of the same frequency and power can enter a microresonator in one direction but not in the other. The fundamental nature of such a broken symmetry could impact science far beyond optical physics. This proposal aims to exploit this discovery for novel types of photonic elements. Work package (A) addresses an urgently needed photonic element: the integrated optical diode (or isolator). Currently, such devices rely on magneto-optical effects that make it impossible to integrate them into chip-based photonic circuits. The use of Kerr-nonlinearity induced symmetry breaking in a simple microring resonator is a promising route towards a novel class of nonreciprocal integrated optical devices. Work package (B) addresses research on nonlinear-enhanced optical gyroscopes. Currently the best gyroscopes are based on ring lasers that cannot be further miniaturized because their sensitivity scales with their size. The symmetry breaking of counter-propagating light in a microresonator has the potential to overcome this limitation and to realize microphotonic gyroscopes with unprecedented sensitivities. The final work package (C) will investigate the nonlinear interaction of counter-propagating light for optical switching and optical memories. We believe that this proposal on optical nonreciprocity and spontaneous symmetry breaking of counterpropagating light will lead to a variety of fascinating developments both in fundamental science and for the next generation of integrated photonic devices.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

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.

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.

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.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 195 454,80
Address
HAMPTON ROAD TEDDINGTON
TW11 0LW MIDDLESEX
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
London Outer London — West and North West Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 195 454,80
My booklet 0 0