Femtosecond Laser Fabrication: R/G/B/IR Wavelength Combining Optical Circuits

Thalmic Labs Inc.在人机界面（HCI）领域生产可穿戴技术，将“真实”和“数字”世界与针对健康、安全和娱乐领域市场的产品融合在一起。例如，肌电图产品，如“Myo臂带”，通过感知肌肉活动来控制假肢手臂，在手术中对实时信息进行无触摸控制，以及在舞台表演中对肌肉运动进行照明/灯光控制。未来的HCI技术将采用光信号处理，但由于目前的集元光学技术，目前的原型机作为可穿戴设备过于笨重和昂贵。该Engage项目解决了在三维（3D）集成光学电路平台上实现“光学”hcite技术的关键要求。该方法旨在为控制多波长光信号提供一种简单、小型化、低损耗和可扩展的方法。多伦多大学的研究小组将运用超快激光，利用他们在薄玻璃晶圆内编写“三维”光学电路的专业知识。如果该项目成功，将对加拿大有实质性的好处：(1)在3D光学处理电路方面的学术领导地位；(2)知识产权生成；(3)新的制造工艺和产品概念；(4)培养具有独特技能和知识的研发人员，使其从大学转化为加拿大产业环境；(5)为制造、销售和研发人员创造长期就业机会。

Thalmic Labs Inc. produces wearable technologies in the field of human computer interface (HCI) that blendsthe 'real' and 'digital' worlds with products aimed at markets in the health, security, and entertainment sectors.For example, electromyographic products such as 'Myo Armband' are used in prosthetic arm control throughsensing of muscle activity, touch-free control over real-time information in surgery, and illumination/lightcontrol of muscular movement in stage performances. Future HCI technologies are embracing optical signalprocessing, but where current prototypes are too bulky and costly as a wearable device due to today's currentlumped-element optical technology. This Engage project addresses a key requirement for enabling 'optical' HCItechnology on a platform of three-dimensional (3D) integrated optical circuits. The approach aims for a simple,miniaturized, low loss, and scalable method for controlling optical signals at multiple wavelengths. TheUniversity of Toronto team will apply ultrafast lasers to exploit their expertise in writing 'three-dimensional'optical circuits inside of thin glass wafers. There are substantial benefits to Canada if this project is successful:(1) academic leadership in 3D optical processing circuits; (2) generation of intellectual property; (3) newmanufacturing processes and product concepts; (4) training of R&D personnel with unique skills and knowhowfor translation from a university to a Canadian industrial environment; and (5) long-term job creation formanufacturing, sales and R&D personnel.