University Of Twente Develops Record Laser On Chip

Most Narrowband Laser Brings Many Photonic Applications Closer

Researchers From The Mesa + Have -Onderzoeksinstituut The University Of Twente, In Cooperation With The Company Lionix Developed The Most Narrow-Band Laser On A Chip In The World.

This laser represents a new breakthrough in Twente in the rapidly growing field of photonics and bringing applications 5G mobile internet and GPS accurate closer. Research leader prof. Dr. Klaus Boller presented the research at a prestigious scientific conference in Munich.

With electronics we slowly reach the limits of possibility. Scientists and industry therefore put on photonics, a key technology that enables a host of other innovations. In this puts you photon (light particle) in the transport and processing of data.

To photonic chips to function as efficiently as possible, you should be able to check properly the light signals. Examples are found, inter alia, in lasers in which all the light emitted particles are substantially exactly the same frequency, which is the same color. Researchers from the University of Twente succeeded in developing a tiny laser on a chip with a maximum bandwidth (the maximum uncertainty in frequency) of only 290 Hertz. This is by far the most accurate laser on a chip that has ever been created. Boller: "Our signal is more than ten times as coherent - i.e. clean - as that of the most narrow-band laser on a chip."

The developed laser is adjustable (tunable), which means that the user can select the color of the laser, to a certain extent, itself. It is a hybrid laser which means that it essentially consists of two separate, optically coupled to each other, chips exists.

Photonics In Twente
The record laser brings numerous potential applications, such as controlling directional antennas on phone masts 5G mobile internet faster data flow through fiber optic networks, accurate GPS systems and sensors to monitor the structural safety of buildings and bridges.

Twente is one of the world's leading regions in the field of photonics, a billion-dollar industry in the making since the technology is the key to many applications. Thus the region is the cradle of plywood technology, one of the most important standards for photonic chips. Core Twente good position is the natural cross-pollination between all parties involved. The entire innovation chain is present and works closely: from basic science in several key areas, to companies belonging to the world in the field of development, production and integration of components.

Research
The study was conducted by Youwen Fan and Klaus Boller of the Department of Laser Physics and Nonlinear Optics of the University of Twente's MESA + research, Applied Nanophotonics, in partnership with Ruud Oldenbeuving Chris Roeloffzen, Marcel Hoekman, Dimitri Geskus and René Heideman company LioniX International.