Using Light Scattering in Optical fibers for good
A new way of transporting and processing information emerges by controlling the feedback of the interaction between light waves and the sound waves (phonons) due to the light scattering
David Marpaung and colleagues of the University of Twente have created a sound mediated way to control light. Through their discovery of steering light with sound, the UT researchers have made available a powerful new tool to expand the scope and performance of this up-and-coming technology that’s quickly moving beyond its traditional use in low-power optical communication.
From he news release:
Detailed in the latest issue of Science Advances, Marpaung has essentially moulded the precision and versatility of a well-known physical phenomenon called Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) into a form that’s ready for mass manufacturing. With SBS added to their toolkit, engineers will be able to incorporate sub-hertz linewidth lasers, ultra-selective filters, and many other components with unparalleled performance into their photonic circuits.
These chips are sure to make waves. “Integrated Brillouin photonics is very fertile ground, both scientifically and commercially, and our work takes it from the lab to the fab,” says Marpaung, referring to the factories where chips are made, called fabs.
Until recently, however, leveraging SBS hasn’t been practical. “There have been many proof-of-concept demonstrations, but, for a variety of reasons, these face critical challenges in terms of practical deployment and scalability,” says Kaixuan Ye, a PhD student in Marpaung’s group and first author of the Science Advances paper.
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
