New International Project On 3-D Photonic Crystal Structures
The Nanophotonics group at COM is participating as partner in a new FP6 European project, NewTon to be initiated in January, 2006. The project will investigate fabrication of 3-D photonic crystal structures with embedded optical functional elements. Other partners are Laser Zentrum Hannover, Thales Aerospace Division, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Photon Design Ltd., and Ecole Nationale Superieur des Telecommunications des Bretagne.
The manufacturing of the 3-D photonic crystals will be based on templates of nano-scale colloids of polymer materials. The optical confinement will be defined by defects that will be inscribed in the material with nm-resolution by laser processing. The photonic crystals are realised by infiltration and inversion techniques. The aim is to fabricate devices which include basic optical functions like waveguides, splitters, and filters for telecom applications. On the long term this technology is expected to enable volume fabrication of compact optical integrated circuits.
An important part of the project is devoted to development of simulation and design tools for photonic crystal structures which are adapted to the manufacturing technology for a fast realisation of the devices and for better understanding of influencing factors in the manufacturing process. COM will be the task leader of a work-package on simulation tools, and receive an EU funding of 273K Euro.
SOURCE: Technical University Of Denmark Department Of Communications, Optics & Materials