In the SOFI project, new active optical waveguides and integrated optoelectronic circuits based on a novel silicon-organic hybrid technology are introduced. The technology is based on the low-cost CMOS process technology for fabrication of the optical waveguides - allowing for the convergence of electronics with optics. It is complemented by an organic layer that brings in new functionalities so far not available in silicon. SOFI focuses on a proof-of concept implementation of ultra-fast ultra-low energy optical phase modulator waveguides such as needed in optical communications. More importantly, the new technology provides the lowest power consumption so far demonstrated for devices in its class.

The aim of the MISTRAL-project is to develop new active photonic devices which are based on CMOS-compatible SOI-Technology. The ability to integrate SOI-concepts will be demonstrated with an optical transceiver module which can be used for data communication within the C-Band and the O-Band. These devices should show the advantages of the increasing optical integration and satisfy the requirements of miniaturization, performance, functionality and low coasts. The focus of the IPQ together with the IMT is on exploring a new integration technology based on LIGA as well as on exploring new modulator device technologies.

The aim of the Polina project is to fabricate integrated optical waveguides on the base of new photo reactive epoxy-polymers. Polymer waveguides seam to be well suitable for the realization of optical receiver components that are needed in 100 Gigabit Ethernet, since they fulfil several important requirements: Firstly the materials allow an almost lossless and tolerant coupling to a SMF. Secondly the materials are cheap and simple to produce and last the so fabricated waveguides should allow a thermal control of the optical phase respectively the relative refractive index in an interferometer structure.

The aim of EURO-FOS is to create a pan-European network of excellence in the area of photonic systems in optical communications. It involves well established European Research groups covering most areas of optical communications.

• EURO-FOS wants to improve the integration of the researchers involved by supporting mobility and exchange of researchers to support innovation and to reinforce common research trusts.
• To improve the research of the partners, they are granted access advanced test and measurement equipment as well as test beds and deployed optical fiber.
• A mechanism will be created that allows partners to access devices developed in complementary European projects on photonic components leading to ideas for new subsystems that are to be developed within this network of excellence.
• EURO-FOS will create the "Euro-Systems Lab". This virtual lab will supply services to companies as well as small and medium enterprises including research and development, for cost effective prototyping and testing. This virtual lab is constructed to improve knowledge transfer from the universities to the industry to advance the European economy. The virtual lab will exist beyond the funding of the project.

This project proposes the development of network architectures and system solutions that will facilitate future broadband access networks. The effort will focus on Transparent Ring Interconnection using multi-wavelength photonic switches with the aim to increase the network functionality and capacity. The proposed scenario refers to a high capacity networks with transparent connectivity between core/regional-metro rings supporting data rates up to 160Gbit/s and metro-access rings supporting up to 40Gbit/s. The required functionality in such architecture will be provided through an optical switching node located at the interconnection points between rings. The design and development of this node will be the focus of the project with the aim to provide a cost effective solution that can transparently offer inter-domain connectivity. This solution will also support functionalities currently unavailable in the optical layer. Our approach will offer transparent optical grooming/aggregation and multi-wavelength 2R optical regeneration. This transparency will enable a variety of data rates, protocols and formats that are present in the metro and access network environments and are associated with the requirements of new and emerging services and applications that are rapidly becoming available to the end-users.

The project deals with the availability and efficient operation of the physical layer infrastructure of future broadband optical access networks. The target is to implement a new functionality into optical access systems that helps to ensure proper performance of the fiber links, to enable early detection of problems and to enable for proactive repair actions. This leads to shortened reaction times for protection switching, and thus improves customer satisfaction and reduces network operators’ operational expenses at the same time.

The large number of different network architectures and protocols to be found in optical access networks as well as the large amount of individual fiber links to be supervised requires a generic approach such that the solutions will be applicable to a large variety of different networks. The measurement capabilities shall be closely integrated into the transmission line equipment requiring development of small and low cost diagnostic tools. The targeted accuracy is adapted to the requirements of the specific links, rather than being high performance tools as in general purpose laboratory equipment.

The cost savings achieved by these innovative embedded monitoring devices in combination with efficient management procedures will help network operators and service providers to offer broadband access at a price that is affordable for everybody.

The main objective of the Action is to establish active links between European laboratories working in the field of artificial materials for photonics applications, where the structural dimensions are at or below the wavelength of light.

Fabrication of such structures has become possible due to the expertise delivered by nanotechnology, which opens the way to the study of new functional artificial materials and plasmonic structures, promising progress in miniaturisation - and which will allow exploration of new aspects of light-matter interaction. The goal is to increase knowledge about the basic mechanisms of the interaction of light with matter on a sub-wavelength scale. The scientific innovation concerns: the basic mechanisms of light-matter interaction in micro- and nanostructured materials - including metals (plasmonics), the trade-off between strong localization and propagation losses, photonic diagnostic instruments, and non-linear effects. The technological impact of the Action will lead to the implementation of advanced optical equipment and devices with high performance and low cost. The scientific transformation resulting from the Action will facilitate interconnection between topics that will produce new results in the field of photonics and pave the way to the forthcoming era of nanophotonics.

PhotonicRoadSME is a Support Action funded by the European Commission within the scope of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) which aims at the integration of new scientific developments in the field of nano-photonics to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
The partners of the PhotonicRoadSME project will develop technology roadmaps to identify future research and technological development (RTD) strategies for Europe which will increase awareness and motivation of the SMEs for the competitiveness of their industrial sector. For this purpose, nine well-known organizations including research leaders in the domain of photonics, partners in photonics networks and experts in the development of technology roadmaps from five European countries are involved in the project. The project results will be validated by industrial and scientific experts.

Main project objectives are:

• Creation of a database of properties and applications of nano-photonic materials, devices, and fabrication technologies.
• Technology audits and SWOT analysis in the four industrial branches information & communication technologies, environment, health & well-being, and safety & security.
• Development of SME-type specific and branch specific technology roadmaps.

(Project no.: 224572, duration: 24 months from 1 May 2008)

The CFN (Center for Functional Nanostructures), located at the Universität Karlsruhe (TH) and the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH (Research Center Karlsruhe), is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to fundamental and applied research in some of the most fascinating fields in nanotechnology. Established on July 1 2001, the CFN is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), the State of Baden-Württemberg and the Universität Karlsruhe (TH). 35 groups from the Universität Karlsruhe (TH) and 15 groups from the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe are associated with the CFN, leading to a total of about 250 scientists engaged in more than 60 different research projects.

We have two projects:

• Quantum-Dot Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (QD-SOA)
• High-density integrated optics  

IPQ offers courses in optics and photonics within the interdisciplinary master program of the Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics (KSOP).
Resources at the IHQ are also open for Ph.D. students at KSOP, we currently support research work by internal and external Ph.D. students.

Courses for master students are:

• Nonlinear Optics, Optical Communications Systems (Prof. Leuthold)
• Optoelectronic Components, Field propagation and coherence (Prof. Freude)
• Semiconductor Optics and Spectroscopy (Dr. Martin Walther, Fraunhofer-Institut for Applied Solid State Physics, Freiburg)
• Optics and Photonics Lab I/II (covering current topics in optical telecommunication)

An optically powered camera sensor link has been developed at the IPQ in a collaboration with ITIV and Fraunhofer ISE (Institute for Solar Energy Systems). Power and data are transmitted over a 62.5 µm multimode glass fiber. Uncompressed video with 640 × 480 pixels resolution is streamed continuously at 100 Mb/s as soon as the fiber is illuminated with sufficient optical power. No energy has to be stored at the sensor location in batteries with limited capacities and lifetimes. Inexpensive fiber optics and low power state-of-the-art electronics are used to make >100 mW available at sites which have no direct access to an electrical network. There is a complete electrical isolation between the remote camera unit and a base station.

Partners:

• IPQ
• ITIV
• Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE)

In this framework, the following topics are investigated at the IHQ:

• Nonlinear effects in ring resonators
• Nonlinear effects near the bandedges of photonic crystals