Ultrafast all-optical signal processing for networking, computing and metrology

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Advantages of processing the information in the all-optical domain include the tremendous available bandwidth and the parallelism intrinsic to the optical approach, which translate into ultrahigh processing speeds well above the reach of present, more conventional electronic-based solutions. The research program described here will focus on the development of a set of all-optical time-domain signal processing devices, either currently unavailable or presently based on impractical solutions, which are of critical importance in various applied fields, including ultrahigh-bit-rate optical telecommunications, ultrafast pulse shaping and metrology, and all-optical information processing. The targeted devices will be implemented using all-fiber technologies, particularly "fiber gratings", which are attractive due to their simplicity and compactness, low insertion losses, potential for low cost, and compatibility with fiber-optics systems. My research will be directed towards two fundamental developments: (a) All-fiber sub-picosecond optical pulse shaping devices, our main target being the realization of devices enabling the synthesis of arbitrary pulse shapes with temporal resolutions down to the sub-picosecond range, a regime that cannot be generally reached with present fiber technologies; and (b) Basic ultrafast all-fiber signal processors, targeting the design, experimental realization and application of various fundamental building blocks for future all-optical processing circuits, including photonic temporal differentiators and integrators. The fiber-optics concepts to be investigated could be easily migrated into integrated waveguide implementations, which would open a range of new, exciting application perspectives for the targeted technologies. Besides the mentioned short-term applications, the proposed research will allow the acquisition of a fundamental know-how for a multitude of other technological and scientific applications in such diverse fields as ultrafast all-optical computing, biomedical imaging and quantum optics. The new knowledge generated from this program and the training of highly qualified personnel in the targeted strategic areas will contribute to enhance Canada's global competitiveness in high-technology sectors.