Investigation into propagation phenomena in multimode fiber for industrial applications

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The excitation and interaction between lower and higher order modes in multimode glass fibres (MMF) is not well understood. This contributes to pulse broadening and signal attenuation, and under-utilizes theinformation carrying capacity (data-rate) of installed MMF (estimated at 200-million kilometres alone in North America). By developing a fundamental understanding of the underlying physics and statistics of short pulse propagation in MMF, Canada will be capable of a range of industrial applications: including 40-Gb/s transmissions (and/or above) over MMF in local area networks, low-cost, secure data encryption through quantum cryptography, and heavy metal detection in drinking water by MMF-based optical sensors. The proposed research involves fundamental experimental and modeling components in waveguide design, laser physics, and communication theories, and fits well with Canada's strategic position in information and communication technologies in the optical sector. Accurate sensors resilient to potentially hazardous external conditions are needed to monitor instantaneously the stress and strain carried by aging as well as new infrastructures (e.g. roads, bridges) nationally and worldwide. As a country whose wealth depends on its natural resources (e.g. agriculture, water), low-cost and high performance sensors will be an essential part of Canada's national economy, especially in an era of increasing global awareness for environmental stewardship.The proposed research targets areas of vast commercial interests, aims at creating end-products that are relevant to industry, and trains two highly qualified personnel at the doctorate level. This will strengthen Canada's technological and economic lead in the information, security and environmental monitoring sectors.