Dr. Aleksandra Kaszubowska - Anandarajah

Summary

Optical communication networks are being put under huge strain by the rise in mobile video, video-on-demand, cloud and other bandwidth intensive services. New disruptive innovations are needed to avoid the impending 'capacity crunch' that has the potential to affect the growth of the Internet, with knock-on adverse effects for global economies. Optical Frequency Comb Sources are a new type of laser that enable operators to pack more data into existing fiber infrastructure. The project will develop an photonic integrated optical comb-based transmitter, offering a disruptive value proposition of reduced cost, footprint and power consumption, with simultaneous increase in performance.

Funding Agency

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Programme

DTIF

Summary

COMBINE aims to design and develop devices enabling photonic-based generation and processing of THz signals. In particular, COMBINE will develop an integrated optical frequency comb-based THz transmitter and investigate the application of a variable pitch grating as an optical switch/tunable optical delay. The THz frequencies have unique properties, useful for applications such as explosives detection, cancer screening, super-high resolution imaging and broadband wireless communications. However, current technologies, operating at such high frequencies are very expensive and inefficient. By employing mature, low loss, commercially available photonics solutions, COMBINE will facilitate the realisation of power and cost efficient THz systems.

Funding Agency

SFI

Programme

Industry Fellowship

Person Months

12