DC Research Projects

DC 1 (Chalmers). Enrolled for PhD at Chalmers
Project Title and Work Package(s) to which it is related: Multilayer integration of microcombs
Objectives: Investigating a scalable platform for chip-scale self-referencing of microcombs
Expected Results: (intermediate) self-referencing of power-efficient octave-spanning microcombs; (long-term) scalable platform for multi-layer integration of silicon nitride microcombs with thin-film lithium niobate.
DC 2 (MPG). Enrolled for PhD at LMU
Project Title and Work Package(s) to which it is related: Microcomb three-dimensional imaging
Objectives: Explore new approaches to 3-dimensional imaging and hyperspectral imaging using microcombs
Expected Results: (intermediate) explore the potential of microcombs for 3D imaging of microscopic objects; (long-term) precision techniques of dimensional metrology to measure the shape of a large 3D object to within the size of an atom.
DC 3 (ECL). Enrolled for PhD at ECL
Project Title and Work Package(s) to which it is related: Mid-Infrared microcombs in CMOS-based platforms
Objectives: Demonstrate the generation of broadband microcombs at mid-IR wavelengths (3-6µm) and its application to spectroscopy
Expected Results: (intermediate) Supercontinuum generation (potentially reaching the full molecular fingerprint up to 10 µm) in a Ge-based integrated platform for on-chip broadband parallel detection of multiple molecules; Realization of high-Q cavity in the 3 to 5 µm and 8 to 10 µm range in a CMOS-based platform; First demonstration of a mid-IR integrated frequency comb in the 3 to 5 µm and 8 to 10 µm range. (long-term) Demonstration of an integrated mid-IR dual-comb spectrometer.
DC 4 (UGent). Enrolled for PhD at UGent
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: Nd:YAG-on-silicon-nitride for low-noise comb generation
Objectives: Create high-power on-chip solid-state laser-driven combs at 1 µm wavelength
Expected Results: (intermediate) First wafer-scale solid-state pump lasers for ultra-low-noise comb generation on a silicon-nitride PIC; (long term) development of on-chip active Kerr-soliton generation outside the telecom wavelength range for ultra-fast LIDAR and metrology.
DC 5 (UGent). Enrolled for PhD at UGent
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: Microcomb photonics packaging
Objectives: Develop photonics packaging building blocks for chip-scale microcombs
Expected Results: (intermediate results) photonics packaging building blocks for microcombs, including high-power laser source integration, optical fiber attachment with low back-reflections, and a thermal management solution.
 
DC 6 (DTU). Enrolled for PhD at DTU
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: Combining χ(2) and χ(3) effects in silicon carbide microcombs
Objectives: Investigating the χ(2) and χ(3) effects in silicon carbide to enable microcomb operation in both near-infrared and visible wavelength ranges
Expected Results: (intermediate) second harmonic generation and χ(2) comb generation in the visible wavelength range; (long-term) octave-spanning comb generation and second harmonic generation in a single microresonator; integrating on-chip pump source with SiC comb generators.
DC 7 (DTU). Enrolled for PhD at DTU
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: Optical communication applications of frequency combs
Objectives: Investigating realistic communication system scenarios for combs; including short-reach intra- and inter-data center links. 
Expected Results: (intermediate) identification of use-case scenarios where comb sources are beneficial; (long-term) develop sub-system designs of comb-based transmitters optimized for various communication system types.
DC 8 (UPB). Enrolled for PhD at UPB
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: Time-frequency quantum metrology
Objectives: Fabricate and demonstrate microcomb-based quantum metrology. 
Expected Results: (intermediate) fabrication and characterization of microresonators on LNOI and first proof of concept experiment for super-resolved quantum metrology; (long-term) electro-optic tuning of devices and transfer to other wavelengths e.g., the MIR.
DC 9 (Menlo). Enrolled for PhD at LMU
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: Integrated frequency combs for laser stabilization
Objectives: Development of a PIC-based module for the provision of stabilized laser light for quantum applications. 
Expected Results: (intermediate) realization of the individual submodules: frequency comb and spectral broadening; (long-term) Integration of the submodules and the CW laser and packaging; characterization of the laser system
DC 10 (Mellanox). Enrolled for PhD at DTU
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: Microcombs in datacenters
Objectives: Investigating the integration of microcombs in DWDM high-speed links for datacenter applications 
Expected Results: (intermediate) modeling and choosing a microcomb architecture that will answer DWDM link architecture requirements, focusing on review of comb architectures, power/performance behavioural modelling for system level analysis, power reduction features enabled by comb usage at the system level, and reliability and failure mechanisms. (long-term) design and testing according to the spec provided in the first part of the research. Test automation measurement and characterization of the microcomb at Mellanox facilities. Aging for reliability testing and full link performance evaluation.
DC 11 (EPFL). Enrolled for PhD at EPFL
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: Full electronic-photonic integrated LiDAR engine using microcombs
Objectives: Demonstration of a hybrid electronic-photonic integrated FMCW LiDAR engine based on microcombs
Expected Results: (intermediate) demonstration of massively parallel FMCW LiDAR using laser self-injection locked soliton microcomb in a fully electronic-photonic packaging; (long-term) compact FMCW LiDAR engine including the laser source, beam steering and receiver on a chip
DC 12 (EPFL). Enrolled for PhD at EPFL
Project Title and WP(s) to which it is related: A high-power microcomb using erbium-based on-chip amplifiers for coherent optical communications
Objectives: Investigating a chip-scale platform for generating100-mW-level power of microcombs suited for multi-wavelength optical communications
Expected Results: (intermediate) demonstration of a compact Erbium-doped photonic integrated circuit-based device via joint efforts of erbium ion implantation to Si3N4 photonic circuits and hybrid photonic integration with III-V pump laser diodes; (long-term) demonstration of soliton microcomb generation and power amplification with > 100 mW of off-chip output power on a single photonic chip, as well as its application as a multi-wavelength light source for coherent optical communications.