RaMSoM · Rack Mountable Soliton Microcomb with Turn-Key operation for Scientific and Industrial Applications
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2021-05-01 → 2023-04-30
- EU contribution
- €203,149
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Rack Mountable Soliton Microcomb with Turn-Key operation for Scientific and Industrial Applications
Optical frequency combs based on femtosecond lasers, as developed by T. Haensch and J. Hall, have revolutionised frequency metrology and enabled numerous advances in time measurement, spectroscopy and sensing. Since their discovery in 2007, such frequency combs can also be generated by parametric frequency conversion in a chip-based resonator (microresonator-based frequency combs). The second revolution is underway: microcombs offer not only a compact form factor, wafer-scale fabrication, integration with other optical or electrical functionality on chip. They have been demonstrated for use in world-record petabit-per-second communications, neuromorphic computing and optical clocks. Due to their compact footprint, such microcombs have shown potential as part of a Light Distance Ranging device for the automotive industry. However, microcombs are limited to those who can afford the complex experimental setups required to successfully operate soliton microcombs. The overall goal of the RaMSoM project is to transition photonic integrated circuit-based microcombs to a turnkey, system-level demonstrator that can be used in the field. We have advanced microcomb technology by offering heterogeneously integrated piezoelectric MEMS actuators based on AlN/PZT. Such a self-contained, frequency-agile, automated soliton microcomb system has lowered the barrier to adoption of microcomb technology and democratised access to it. In addition to maturing the technology, the aim is to develop the basis for commercialisation through competitor analysis, market research, trade fair participation, feasibility studies with industrial partners and the creation of a spin-off company.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The invention of the optical frequency comb (OFC) has enabled counting of optical frequencies and has thereby given rise to optical atomic clocks that today are even sensitive to the gravitational redshift and are of crucial importance for future improvements to navigation, positioning, and timing. The early generation of OFC based on mode-locked lasers are already commercially available but suffer from a number of limitations in terms of system size and complexity, and notably, low attainable repetition rates (<10 GHz). However, higher repetition rates (>10 GHz) are essential in many applications. The discovery of microresonator-based Kerr frequency combs (microcombs) has revolutionized the field and paved a route to a compact OFC, with broad optical bandwidth and repetition rates in the microwave to terahertz domain (10 GHz - 1 THz). Despite such undeniable advantages of soliton microcombs over other types of OFCs as chip-scale footprint and unique combination of high repetition rates and broad bandwidth reaching an octave, there is however no commercial product that would expose the soliton microcomb technology to the market and offer an optical frequency comb with similar performance and scale. The focus of the RaMSoM project is to design and build the world's first 19""-rack-mounted stand-alone soliton microcomb source with the turn-key operation and demonstrate its performance and reliability in scientific and industrial applications. The project will pursue the following objectives: (1) development of a turn-key reliable soliton microcomb source in a 19""-rack chassis; (2) employment of the developed stand-alone system for novel scientific applications, including multi-wavelength broadband spectroscopy and neuromorphic optical computing; (3) development of an industrial-grade soliton microcomb system with enhanced tuning functionality and demonstration of field applications in cooperation with industrial partners.""
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE · LausanneCoordinatorSwitzerland
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union