Silicon-based micro/nanophotonic devices for telecommunications and bio-sensing

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The silicon photonics market is expected to be worth US$1.079 billion by 2022. The major driver for the growth of the market is the increasing use in next-generation communication systems and interconnects for datacenters. Silicon photonics is also considered as a promising field for research development in sensing for medical and life sciences, whose global market value is predicted to triple by 2020. Thus, the long-term objective of the proposed research program is aimed at discovering innovative silicon-based devices and systems that are commercially viable, for the two key application areas: (i) ultra-high capacity optical communication and ultra-fast signal processing for next generation telecommunications; and (ii) wearable and self-powered bio-sensor for detecting environmental contaminants. Research will not only focus on the device design and system performance, but also on the practicality aspect including the fabrication tolerances and integration compatibility. To undertake this research, 2 Ph.D. students, 3 M.A.Sc. students, 1 research associate, and 5 summer undergraduate students will be recruited and address the following short-term objectives:Theme A. Silicon nanophotonic devices for telecommunications: 1) To design and demonstrate passive nanophotonic devices, with a focus on multimode division multiplexing for realizing ultra-high capacity optical communications. 2) To design and demonstrate silicon-based active devices, such as optical logic gates, for achieving ultra-fast all-optical signal processing. Theme B. Silicon devices for optical bio-sensing: To design a wearable and self-powered integrated silicon bio-sensor for airborne contaminants such as neurotoxin tricresyl phosphate in aircraft cabins. The results and technologies generated from the proposed work, if successful, can make significant contributions to (i) the Canadian ICT industries for next-generation communication networks with higher data capacity and faster speed, and (ii) the Canadian health, aerospace and defense industries for compact and efficient sensing technology. The potential commercialization of the proposed devices and systems could lead to new business activities, yield significant economic benefits to Canada, and help Canada as a leader and stay at the forefront of advanced technologies. The proposed research program will provide effective training for the HQPs in optical communications and bio-sensing; numerical modelling; silicon photonics device design, fabrication, and testing. Through participation in experimental work, all the HQP will develop analytical and hands-on skills in a practical engineering environment. The HQP will be exposed in a multi-disciplinary research environment with collaborators in material science, chemistry, and biology. They will be highly sought after by employers in industry and academia.