Lithium niobate photonic chips for coherent signal processing

Purpose and goal:

The project further developed photonic integrated circuit technology in lithium niobate at KTH and explored the possibilities for ultrafast optical signal processing in telecom systems in conjunction with researchers at RISE. The main goal was to design, fabricate and test a coherent transmitter for optical fibre networks and identify suitable routes for an efficient exploitation in Sweden.

Expected results and effects:

The project was a national pilot to leverage the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform developed in my group at KTH on lithium niobate towards telecom applications. It enabled the design and production of electro-optic PICs to be tested in system experiments with RISE and industrial partners, and the entrepreneurial training of two PhD students. It enhanced our communication and networking possibilities with potential stakeholders and Swedish actors in the targeted application fields.

Approach and implementation:

We have: developed process design kits and chip integration for large-scale production and standardization of our photonic integrated circuit (PIC) platform; fabricated a pilot PIC demonstrator for coherent modulation and launched a collaboration with industry actors to perform system experiments; developed communication and training to further verify market interest and filed a patent application in preparation for Step 2, with help from Vinnova, RISE, KTH Innovation and our own network.