3D Additive/subtractive laser manufacturing of photonic circuit and sensor micro-systems****

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Optical glass has been transforming into high-technology devices, as lenses, fibres and film, that reach deeply into our everyday life. Smart-touch phones benefit our daily lives by enabling high-bandwidth communications and efficient access to information or connection to all things (Internet of Thing, IoT) through high-speed optical fibre networks. Optical sensors increase public safety, improve our environment, and ensure secure and efficient usage of resources. The current proposal exploits state-of-the-art ultrafast lasers to harvest novel forms of laser interaction physics when focused inside such transparent media. The internal non-contact processing promises to unfold new approaches for three-dimensional (3-D) additive or subtractive manufacturing of optical components at the forefront of nanotechnology and nanoscience. The scientific approach builds on advanced tools for physical and temporal shaping of laser pulses to anticipate and counter nonlinear distortions when propagating inside of the glass. The objective is to control the 3D interaction shape and steer the physical dynamics to favourably transform the glass properties. Our research team combines expertise to create new 3D glass manufacturing processes on which novel optical devices can be integrated into flexible forms of advanced telescopes, wearable technologies, fibre imaging tools, point-of-care diagnostics and flexible guided surgical catheters. These directions are connected with five Canadian partners, ELCAN Optical Technologies, Thalmic Labs, FiberTech Optica, ChipCare, and LightMatter Interaction, that currently are using, or are in a position to transform their manufacturing capacity around ultrafast lasers. The proposed research aims to accelerate the leadership of Canadian high technology manufactures globally. There are substantial benefits to Canada if this project is successful: (1) academic leadership in 3D optical processing; (2) generation of intellectual property; (3) new manufacturing processes and product concepts; (4) training of R&D personnel with unique skills and knowhow for translation from a university to a Canadian industrial environment; and (5) long-term job creation for manufacturing, sales and R&D personnel.**