Silicon photonics: enabling optical and microwave signal processing for broadband communications beyond the next decade

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Digital technology and the internet have changed the way we interact:  a digital culture embracing video-oriented services for communication, education, entertainment, healthcare, and business has emerged.  The overall mission of this research program is to deliver disruptive technologies to power the fiber optic and optical-wireless telecommunications infrastructure necessary to support this digital culture.  We will achieve our mission through research on two inter-related topics:  Theme 1-silicon photonics for optical signal processing and Theme 2-silicon photonics for microwave signal processing.The long term objective of Theme 1 research is to provide innovative solutions for signal processing based on silicon photonics that address issues and challenges associated with the parallel transmission of data signals, i.e., space-division-multiplexing, which is recognized as the only means to increase transmission beyond known capacity limits of single mode fiber and avoid bandwidth exhaust in fiber optic communications.  In a parallel effort, the long term objective of Theme 2 is to develop integrated microwave photonic systems in silicon photonics for optical-wireless communications that address the unprecedented increase in consumer demand for wireless gigabit service.  The devices will realize important functionalities in microwave systems that are complex or otherwise impossible to achieve using electronics.In the short term, we will design fundamental building blocks in silicon photonics and investigate the performance limitations of the various approaches for optical and microwave signal processing.The information and communications technology (ICT) sector has long been central to Canada's economic development and ICT industries have accounted for 7.5% of the Canadian GDP growth since 2007.  The ideas, results, and technologies generated from the proposed research program can be adopted by ICT industries through partnerships, student internships, and collaborations.  The research program will provide excellent training for four students per year in signal processing; optical communications; numerical modelling; device design, fabrication, and testing; and in systems experiments.  They will be in an excellent position to make immediate contributions and have an impact in the ICT sector.  Graduates from the current research program have been placed in relevant industries, including Ciena and MPB Communications.