PhD position: Photonic signal processing using broadband optical frequency comb

Many applications, including radar mapping, precision synchronization, environmental measurement, imaging as well as the realization of advanced modulation formats for ultrahigh bandwidth digital communications, require the generation, analysis and processing of analogue RF signals in wide bandwidth. Processing wide bandwidth signals in the electrical domain is still challenging due to limited bandwidth of electronic circuits and introduction of digital quantisation noise. Due to the virtually unlimited bandwidth and ultralow noise available in the optical domain, optical signal processing is a very attractive alternative to electronic counterparts. Many signal processing functions have been demonstrated using optics; however, often multiple discrete optical channels with their own laser diodes must be used. This typically results in a very high cost, complexity and energy consumption and footprint. Recently, ultra-broadband optical frequency combs have been demonstrated that can produce over one hundred stable and high quality comb lines – each like a coherent laser source. This technology opens up opportunities to conceive practical and sophisticated photonic signal processors with small foot-print which can be robustly integrated into integrated photonic devices with no moving parts. This research project will investigate novel methods to implement high speed, reconfigurable optical signal processors using the integrated optical frequency comb source. You will investigate photonic techniques to manipulate signals in both the temporal and frequency domains. You will apply the conceived techniques to demonstrate several practical applications in wireless and optic fibre communications as well as radar and remote sensing using the state of the art equipment in the photonic laboratory at RMIT. The opportunity to integrate entire systems as a single compact photonic chips will be available in the final stage of the project.

Please contact Dr. Thach Nguyen or Dist. Prof. Arnan Mitchell for more information.