Periodic Reporting for period 1 - POLYFIL (Polychromatic low-threshold fibre laser) Reporting period: 2018-09-03 to 2020-09-02 Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project The ultimate objective of the proposed project Polychromatic low-threshold fibre laser (POLYFIL), is to train a talented researcher with high potential through a research focused on the development of a new type of fibre lasers based on innovative technique of the controlled light localisation. The success of this interdisciplinary project will lead to a novel attractive fibre laser design with multiple localisation-based characteristics including prescribed polychromatic lasing frequencies with disciplinary lasing energies, extremely low threshold and stable lasing output. The objective of this project is partially achieved.RTO1 Training through research Fellow’ in fibre optics, sensing, food applications, medical photonicsRTO2 Development of the disorder-localisation model and training in optimization methodsRTO3 Development of the disorder compensation technique and training in system designsRTO4 Demonstration of the polychromatic fibre laser and training in experimental techniquesRTO5 Training in applications in multichannel spectroscopy, medical sensing and high-sensitive food monitoring Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far The Fellow has carried out a range of theoretical, computational and experimental interdisciplinary training activities acquiring the cutting-edge knowledge in disordered photonics, fibre optics and optical communications, etc. For example, during the project implementation the Fellow learned numerical modelling technique in application to laser performance simulation, gained knowledge of various influencing factors on physical parameters of optical fibre, strengthened his programming skills and was trained in experimental realization of the fibre laser systems. And, the Fellow had an existing possibility to attend seminars delivered by researchers of Aston University and numerous guest researchers from all around the world visiting Aston University. Complimentary training. As part of the training the following courses provided by Aston University were attended to strengthen the Fellow skills in teaching, external funding application, grant management. • Developing good team skills using formative peer feedback, by Aston University, 2019• Research Data and Open Access; Online Researcher Profiles and Promoting Your Data and Publications, by Aston University, 2019• Seminar devoted to opportunities of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilIn addition to the courses, outreach activity skills were improved by participating in the regular activities organized by Aston and by the Fellow themselves. Summary of deliverables and exploitable results. According to the work plan we have achieved the main objective of this WP aiming RTO1 – training through research Fellow. Deliverables D1.1-D1.2 consisted of the training of the researcher in various science skills and complementary skills. It was achieved through training-through-research in collaboration with project supervisor (Dr. Turitsyna) and other AIPT staff.D2.1-D2.3 concerned with applicable code to calculate the disorder-localisation relationship, applicable optimisation scheme for the specific disorder, and applicable disorder compensation scheme for the control of the lasing frequencies. It was achieved through AIPT and FOCUS. D3.1-D3.2 concerned with fabricated FBGs with pre-designed lasing frequencies, and disorder compensation module. It was achieved through AIPT and FOCUS. D4.1 concerned with demonstration of polychromatic fibre laser with multiple pre-designed lasing frequencies and stable lasing output. It was achieved through AIPT. D5.1-D5.2 concerned with application and commercialisation of the polychromatic fibre laser as a multi-channel fibre probe and as a high-sensitive food monitoring system. It was achieved through ARTPHOTONICS and BRANSCAN. Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far) The impact of the project POLYFIL has two main aspects: career impact for the Fellow through the training of the engineer and the researcher and impact of scientific outcome.Concerning career impact, the intensive multi-subject training program across the different disciplines envisaged within the project is a significant career boost of the Fellow in the field of disordered photonics, fibre optics, optical sensing, and medical photonics in general. This training, together with the Fellow’s expertise in the experimental realization of the polychromatic fibre laser systems, has provided the Fellow with unique assets to enter the field that has enormous industrial potential, simultaneously giving him the opportunity to become one of the leading specialists with the highly demanded specialization. In addition, training in teaching, external funding application and organising of outreach activities is especially helpful for career in academia and thus to enhance the researcher’s future career in a China university.Scientific outcome impact. The realisation of the POLYFIL have a tremendous impact on the alleviation of the disordered photonics and fibre optics, hence greatly increasing the EU based research and engineering competitiveness. In addition, the project results have an impact beyond the main focus of POLYFIL. The disorder-localisation algorithms and the associated mathematical techniques and optimisation methods, being very generic, can find numerous interdisciplinary applications. The contribution into corresponding physical and mathematical areas, and general-target software packages that developed will bring about the improvement of the EU competitiveness in the aforementioned adjacent areas. Project did not lead to any publications yet
