Photonic technologies for high-capacity optical communications

在这个新的千年里，人们和智能设备不断地通过不受限制的射频链路和可重新配置的网络进行交互。这些通信网络处理大量的数据，这些数据必须从移动用户那里获取，在高度互联的数据中心处理，并通过已经背负着迅速增长的传统数据流量的光纤通信管道进行传输。为了实现信息时代，电信工程师几十年来一直在快速创新，提供具有更高数据速率、容量和连接性的许多连续几代系统。用户通常没有意识到这场不可阻挡的革命给世界各地设计网络的科学家带来了巨大的技术挑战。*在这个研究计划中，我们正在研究如何通过重新发明光纤通道来克服目前光纤网络中高速通信的限制。我们的研究建议，通过巧妙地设计光纤，使单股光纤中的芯数成倍增加，或者允许在单芯中以正交模传输，从而在具有相同波长的并行通道上传输数据。此外，我们正在研究带有气孔的微结构光纤，以帮助优化光纤性能并延长当前的通信光谱窗口。在第一个研究轴中，我们的重点是基本的光纤特性，例如由表面粗糙度引起的散射损耗和串扰，这些特性目前限制了这些创新光纤的最大传输距离。在第二个轴中，我们检查了为这些通信链路制造功率高效放大器的掺铒光纤设计。最后，在第三个轴上，我们将研究将光耦合和过滤到模式通道中的全光纤设备。*该研究计划利用了光通信实验室的共用位置、最先进的测试设备以及加拿大独一无二的光纤制造基础设施。这种近在咫尺的优势使人们可以很容易地获得光纤原型，并为在光纤通信技术方面进行高影响力的研究提供了独特的机会。加拿大拥有强大的光子产业，包括大型电信设备制造商和小型高科技企业，这些企业必须不断创新才能保持领先地位。除了预期的研究成果外，这项研究计划还将为准备加入这个充满活力的工业部门的年轻研究人员提供一个高质量的培训环境。

In this new millennium, people and intelligent devices are constantly interacting through untethered RF links and reconfigurable networks. These communication networks handle enormous amounts of data that must be harvested from mobile users, processed in highly interconnected data centers, and transmitted on optical fiber communication conduits already burdened with burgeoning traditional data traffic. To enable the information age, telecommunication engineers have been innovating at a rapid pace for many decades, delivering many successive generations of systems with increased data rates, capacity and connectivity. Users are usually unaware of the tremendous technological challenges that this unstoppable revolution poses to scientists designing networks around the world.****In this research program, we are investigating how to overcome current limitations of high speed communications in optical fiber networks by reinventing the optical fiber channel. Our research proposes to carry data on parallel channels, with the same wavelength, by cleverly designing fibers that multiply the number of cores in single fiber strand or allow transmission on orthogonal modes in a single core. Furthermore, we are studying microstructured fibers, with air holes, to help optimize the fiber properties and extend the current communication spectral window. In the first research axis, our focus is on fundamental fiber properties, such as scattering loss and cross-talk caused by surface roughness, that currently limit the maximum transmission distance of these innovative optical fibers. In the second axis, we examine erbium-doped optical fiber designs to make power efficient amplifiers for these communication links. Finally, in the third axis, we will research all-fiber devices to couple and filter light into the mode channels.*****This research program takes advantage of the colocation of an optical communication laboratory, with state-of-the-art test equipment, and of a fiber fabrication infrastructure that is unique in Canada. This close proximity allows easy access to optical fiber prototyping and provides a unique opportunity to make high impact research in optical fiber communication technologies. Canada has a strong photonic industry, encompassing large telecommunication equipment manufacturers as well as small high-tech businesses that must constantly innovate to maintain their leadership position. In addition to its anticipated research outputs, this research program will provide a high quality training environment for young researchers who will be well prepared to join this dynamic industrial sector.*********