VCSEL research centre opens in Italy
Centre of excellence will focus on applications in high-speed optical fibre data transmission links and optical sensing
VCSELence Torino, Italy, has been established as a centre of excellence for VCSELs in applications in high-speed optical fibre data transmission links and in optical sensing.
Relying on a well-established physical and technological background of VCSELs, VCSELence targets the experimental exploitation of these devices pushing the application beyond the current limits. This will be achieved by performing highly sophisticated modelling of the in-laser phenomena supported by in-house experiments with final tests of the device in the entire system.
VCSELence Torino unites the competences of several participating groups at DET (Department of Electronics and Telecommunication at Politecnico di Torino) at LINKS Foundations and at IEIIT-CNR (Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell'Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche).
All specialise in the field of optical, electrical and spectral characterisation, modelling and advanced applications of semiconductor-lasers covering all wavelengths for optical communication bands and for optical sensing.
The scientific goal is to advance the understanding of the dynamics of the coupled photon-carrier system in these opto-electronic emitters by joint theoretical and experimental investigations. This will allow the achievement of improved devices designed on-demand, exploiting their ultimate limits and going far beyond the actual state-of-the-art.
VCSELence Torino will also be offering its services in modelling, design, characterisation and system testing on a worldwide platform, to drive international research, and collaborative opportunities with innovative companies.
VCSELence Torino relies on an already existing large variety of European and world-wide funded projects with universities and companies and it intends extending them to the benefit of the society.
VCSELence also builds on the existing photonics infrastructure of Links and Photonext (Interdepartmental Center for Applied Photonics of Politecnico di Torino) where it shares a 300 square meter lab and expresses the intent to become a significant player in the development of knowledge and expertise in the field of application of semiconductor technologies that will give benefit to Italy’s economy.
It is expected that the new centre will also play an important role in advancing quantum physics-based technology.
Pierluigi Debernardi of CNR with 25-years of experience on VCSELs added: “Our Center of Excellence will be the research building for all scientists involved in modelling, design, technology and application of these low-cost semiconductor lasers, working together on the advancing of semiconductor optics research and optoelectronics”.
