Menu
MapConnectionsTopicsBulgariaThe Night (K-TRIO)Marie Skłodowska-CurieFor studentsFor teachersMethodologySurprise me
H2020Doctoral network2019–2022

MICROCOMB · Applications and Fundamentals of Microresonator Frequency Combs

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-01-01 → 2022-12-31
EU contribution
€4,038,096
Participants
17
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Applications and Fundamentals of Microresonator Frequency Combs

The project aimed to deliver cutting-edge application-oriented research results and train a group of early-career scientists to ensure EU competitiveness in optical frequency-comb technology and, more broadly, in photonics R&D across the academic and industrial sectors. On the research side, the project team has concentrated on addressing the existing technological limitations of microresonator combs and understanding open fundamental problems. The training was done at a series of hands-on workshops and research schools engaging international experts from across the Globe. Secondments between the academic and industrial partners made an important contribution to providing our researchers with cutting-edge technical skills and exposing them to various environments to make them confident and competitive in the R&D job market. The project research area links to many problems important for modern society. Data processing and transmission applications emerge through the multitude of spectral lines constituting the comb spectrum, where each of these lines can serve as an independent and simultaneous with the other communication channel allowing to boost the data transmission and improve precession of distance measurement by lasers. The spectral sensitivity of combs is such that they are used to record the variation of the spectra emitted by stars due to invisible exoplanets rotating around them and tiny changes in the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. Overall research objectives of the project were to develop: - microcomb technology for signal processing and optical communications - microcomb based precision spectroscopy tools - on-chip microcomb based photonic modules and packaged solutions - microcomb sources based on second-order nonlinearities - understanding of fundamental physics behind the comb solitons relevant for the applications

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The proposed network will establish and support cross-sectorial training and research programme bringing together leading European academic and industrial centers working in the area of optical frequency combs in microresonators (microcombs). The programme will allow to combine and share some of the world leading experience and expertise in the microcombs and train a new generation of scientists in this actively developing area bordering physics and photonic engineering and having pronounced applied and fundamental dimensions. The frequency comb research itself is the Nobel prize winning area (T. Hänsch and J. Hall, 2005), while the microcombs can qualify as an emerging disruptive technology. Europe still lacks a structured and comprehensive training programme in this area, which is proposed by our consortium, while facing a growing competiton with its global rivals. This programme will have a lasting impact increasing European innovation capacity through expanding knowledge base, new IP, trained personnel, better equipped laboratories and future collaborations leading to product development. Our project addresses research and technology problems with interdisciplinary importance from the areas of precision frequency metrology, ultrafast data processing, optical to RF signal conversion, astronomical measurements and soliton physics. Early stage researchers involved into the proposed network will receive broad and well balanced training in device characterisation and fabrication, experimental techniques and theory and modeling in best academic, research center and industrial environments. A programme of secondments and network wide events will ensure highest levels of cross-country and academia-industry mobility for our researchers. Soft-skills training events organised by such industrial consortium members as IBM, Menlo and AIRBUS will provide our researchers with career perspectives beyond their immediate research focus.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • UNIVERSITY OF BATH · BATHCoordinatorUnited Kingdom
  • AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH · TaufkirchenGermany
  • ALBERT-LUDWIGS-UNIVERSITAET FREIBURG · FreiburgGermany
  • CHALMERS TEKNISKA HOGSKOLA AB · GoteborgSweden
  • ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE · LausanneSwitzerland
  • IBM RESEARCH GMBH · RUESCHLIKONSwitzerland
  • KARLSRUHER INSTITUT FUER TECHNOLOGIE · KarlsruheGermany
  • KUNGLIGA TEKNISKA HOEGSKOLAN · StockholmSweden
  • LIGENTEC SA · EcublensSwitzerland
  • LUCEDA · GENTBelgium
  • MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV · MUNCHENGermany
  • MENLO SYSTEMS GMBH · PLANEGG MARTINSRIEDGermany
  • NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED · MIDDLESEXUnited Kingdom
  • TOPTICA PHOTONICS SE · GRAEFELFINGGermany
  • UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA · ValenciaSpain
  • UNIVERSITEIT GENT · GentBelgium
  • VLC PHOTONICS SL · ValenciaSpain

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union