Project description
Miniaturised optical resonators enable low-repetition-rate optical frequency combs
Optical frequency combs underpin applications ranging from precision timekeeping to astronomy. Currently, optical resonators about 20 cm across are used to generate combs with the densely packed optical ‘teeth’ (low repetition rate) required by many applications. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the OFC-SNAP project aims to shrink these devices to just a few millimetres by advancing surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) technology. OFC-SNAP will combine multi-physics modelling and non-linear dynamics analysis with a novel femtosecond-CO2 laser fabrication technique to create high-quality SNAP-based resonators and devices with unprecedented characteristics. Testing and optimisation will lay the groundwork for next-generation integrated photonic components, strengthening European expertise in this strategic technology area.
Objective
Optical frequency combs (OFCs) technology is a rapidly developing field of photonics with numerous applications in precision metrology, timekeeping, chemical sensing, telecommunications, and astronomy. A key step towards further development of this technology is miniaturizing OFC generators using optical microresonators. However, it is challenging to create miniature resonators generating OFC having a repetition rate (RR) as small as 100 MHz required for many of these applications. For instance, a silicon ring resonator generating OFC RR ~ 100 MHz has to have a diameter of ~20 cm. This project aims to revolutionize photonics technology by demonstrating broadband OFC generators with RR ~ 100 MHz that have much smaller dimensions of a few millimeters. To achieve this breakthrough, OFC-SNAP will employ and further develop the Surface Nanoscale Axial Photonics (SNAP) technology. The proposed research methodology encompasses: 1) Multi-physics modeling of thermo-optic effects during laser fabrication and analysis of nonlinear dynamics of SNAP-based Kerr OFCs; 2) employing a novel approach of the joint femtosecond-CO2 laser processing technique to create parabolic SNAP devices with unprecedented high quality factors ~ 10 to the power of 8, flexible control of their axial free spectral range, and dispersion minimization, and 3) demonstration and optimization of the generated Kerr OFCs by simultaneous optimization of the systems’ parameters. This MSCA fellowship will enhance the Fellow’s academic expertise, professional skills, and capacity for intersectoral collaboration through a comprehensive programme focused on frequency comb technology. The project will establish a foundation for next-generation integrated photonic devices and optical communications. By bridging fundamental research and practical innovation, the fellowship will advance the Fellow’s career development while reinforcing Europe’s global leadership in photonic integration and its strategic applications.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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B4 7ET Birmingham
United Kingdom
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