Objective This project (SOLISYNTH) aims to utilize the novel crystalline microresonator optical frequency comb to synthesize ultra-stable microwaves. The microresonator comb will operate in the state of temporal dissipative soliton and an ultra-stable Fabry-Perot cavity will be used as a reference for the comb to lock to. By using direct optical division with the comb, this work could offer a new approach to synthesize low-phase-noise microwaves in a compact form factor, which could have applications in Radar, timing and telecommunications to radio astronomy. In addition, this project seeks to generate mid-infrared soliton comb with octave spanning bandwidth through dispersion engineering and quantum cascade laser pumping. With its exceptionally high coherence, such frequency comb offers access to the molecular fingerprinting region where many chemical species show distinctive absorption features. Devices based on this research output can find tremendous applications in mining, agriculture and medical diagnosis.Due to the prominent values of the research on microresonator comb, there are many groups in the US delved into this field, and the numbers of publications and filed patents on this topic has been rising rapidly. Hence this project will not only enhance Europe’s position in scientific competition with US, but also gain substantial economic benefits through strengthened industrial innovation. On the other hand, the host group in EPFL will consolidate its leading position in the field by integrating the applicant’s knowledge and experience on ultra-stable cavities and laser stabilization with the soliton comb research, thus facilitating both the fundamental investigation and the commercial development based on the microresonator frequency comb. Moreover, the applicant will acquire both research competencies and managerial and leadership skills, which will serve as the foundation of undertaking independent research and leading scientific and technological developments. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologyradio frequencynatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyobservational astronomyradio astronomyengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technologyradarnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE Net EU contribution € 187 419,60 Address BATIMENT CE 3316 STATION 1 1015 Lausanne Switzerland See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud 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 Total cost € 187 419,60