Optical waveguides and fibers for signal processing and sensing

光学通过在通信、传感、医学和制造领域提供创新，对我们的生活质量产生了巨大的影响。例如，光通信技术的进步使信息、服务和金融能够以前所未有的数据速率交换，从而使我们的社会发生了巨大的变化。第二个例子是，光学传感现在经常被用来帮助确保安全的生活环境：我们可以监测水和空气质量，检测危险材料或化学品，并探测我们的民用和交通基础设施(如建筑、桥梁、管道和飞机)的完整性。这项研究计划侧重于使用创新的波导和光纤设备和子系统设计来增强光通信和传感。我们将满足以下需求：(1)能够以超过40 Gb/S(例如160 Gb/S)的数据速率执行各种信号处理功能的光学器件技术和子系统，以便系统和网络能够满足新兴服务对带宽的需求；(2)用于便携式(现场)红外化学传感器的廉价、坚固耐用、可调谐的全光纤中红外激光器。该计划致力于推进基础知识，并产生新的想法、概念和方法，以在光通信和传感领域创造重要的机会。鉴于全球电信基础设施在社会中的作用以及使用化学光谱技术进行环境监测的重要性，这项研究的影响是重大的。该项目将为3名博士生提供优秀的培训，他们将发展出业界热衷的理论和实践技能。目前该项目的毕业生已经在英飞朗公司、OptiWave和加拿大国防研究与发展公司找到了工作。

Optics has had a tremendous impact on our quality of life by providing innovations in the areas of communications, sensing, medicine, and manufacturing. For example, advances in optical communications technology have led to dramatic changes in our society by enabling the exchange of information, services, and finance at unprecedented data rates. As a second example, optical sensing is now regularly used to help ensure a safe, living environment: we can monitor water and air quality, detect hazardous materials or chemicals, and probe the integrity of our civil and transportation infrastructure (e.g., buildings, bridges, pipelines, and airplanes). This research program focuses on enhancing optical communications and sensing using innovative waveguide and fiber device and subsystem designs. We will address the need for (1) optical device technologies and subsystems that perform a variety of signal processing functions at data rates beyond 40 Gb/s (e.g., 160 Gb/s) in order for systems and networks to satisfy bandwidth demand from emerging services and (2) cheap, rugged, tunable, and all-fiber mid-IR lasers for portable (in-field) IR-based chemical sensors. The program endeavours to advance fundamental knowledge, and generate new ideas, concepts, and methods to create significant opportunities in optical communications and sensing. The impact of the research is significant given the role of the global telecommunications infrastructure in society and the importance of environmental sensing using chemical spectroscopic techniques. The program will provide excellent training for 3 PhD students who will develop theoretical and practical skills that are highly sought by industry. Graduates of the current program have found employment at Infinera Corp., Optiwave, and Defence Research and Development Canada.