Nonlinear Spatio-Temporal Processing for Ultrahigh Bandwidth Communication

Abstract : This research project is currently supported in part by the NSF, ARPA-OTC II and AFOSR. We are extending the research on artificial dielectrics to nonlinear optical composites which have been recently proposed to BMDO and AFOSR. The instrumentation and equipment requested will enable basic research on nonlinear optics of ultrashort pulses for ultrahigh bandwidth (e.g., over 1 Tbits/sec) communication applications. In particular, this novel approach will investigate devices and optical network systems for enhanced information transmission rate, network controllability and reliability, network security using quantum and classical cryptography. The requested equipment will be used to investigate the effects of the fiber optic and/or free space communication channel on the signal fidelity, linear and nonlinear dispersion, and the effects of fiber optic amplifiers. This equipment will also enhance experimental work on implementation of multidimensional optical channel using ultrashort pulse nonlinear spectral holography, and design and fabrication of nonlinear artificial dielectric materials that utilize near field effects to increase their efficiency. In addition, the equipment requested will significantly enhance the overall characterization and processing capability within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UCSD. Graduate and undergraduate students will benefit from access to this fabrication and characterization equipment.