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Compact all-fibre nonlinear resonators as technological platform for a new generation of miniaturised light sources.

Project description

Nonlinear optics enable access to more regions of the electromagnetic spectrum

Carrying information via the movement of photons in hollow 'tubes' rather than the flow of electrons through solids has revolutionised telecommunications. Fibre optics have enabled high-speed, high-density, long-distance transmission of signals with high integrity. When individual wavelengths are used for individual signals within the same cable, data density increases while the associated costs decrease. Optical parametric oscillators are a promising signal source with an extremely wide and tunable wavelength range. The EU-funded PocketLight project will develop compact all-fibre nonlinear resonators to integrate into a unique optical parametric oscillator for telecoms and more.

Objective

The project aims for the implementation of a novel technological platform based on compact all-fibre resonators (CAFRs). I will exploit silica optical fibres treated via thermal poling to induce a second order nonlinear polarization. Periodically poled silica fibres (PPSFs), equipped with Bragg mirrors on both their facets, will be converted into quadratic nonlinear optical resonators with the target of exploiting the significant enlargement of the nonlinear interaction lengths. A complete study of the experimental conditions necessary to observe up and down conversion of light in the telecom wavelengths range inside those resonators will be realised. The main goal of the project consists in the implementation of an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) by exploiting the CAFR in doubly resonant configuration. This outcome would allow to open the way to a totally revolutionary type of all-fibre, integrated and compact laser/light sources based on nonlinear parametric processes. Another significant goal of the project is the first experimental observation of dissipative structures in these compact all-fibre resonators, with the main target of testing the theoretical predictions present in literature and shed new light onto some still unveiled aspects of dynamics of purely quadratic resonators.

Coordinator

UNIVERSITE LIBRE DE BRUXELLES
Net EU contribution
€ 166 320,00
Address
AVENUE FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT 50
1050 Bruxelles / Brussel
Belgium

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Region
Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/ Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest Arr. de Bruxelles-Capitale/Arr. Brussel-Hoofdstad
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost
€ 166 320,00