Optical waveguides and fibers for signal processing and sensing

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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.