Multi-wavelength source
The design and development of a low-cost multi-wavelength optical source capable of simultaneously generating a number of wavelengths has been extensively researched over the years by the scientific community. From the diverse approaches proposed over the years, photonic integrated circuits capable of generating a comb of optical channels are the most promising, due to their potential for high channel count, small footprint and system integration into switching and routing communications equipment. Such optical chips however, require complex and precise fabrication processes and, being high-performance DWDM photonic components, require careful temperature control and cooling.
C3PO will design and develop a multi-wavelength optical source with the following unique characteristics
- High number of wavelength channels (40 channels within the project lifetime)
- Photonic Integrated Circuit (small footprint)
- Capability to operate without cooling (coolerless)
- Operational temperature up to 90 oC without wavelength drift
- Narrow channel spacing (100GHz, 50GHz, 25GHz)
