Research Projects

NSF-ITR: High Speed Wavelength-Agile Optical Networks

Faculty members involved are Professors Shun-Lien Chuang (PI), Ilesanmi Adesida, Kent Choquette, and Steve Lumetta at the University of Illinois, and Professor Muriel Medard at MIT.  This project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

 The objective of this project is to investigate important areas in the design of high speed optical networks.  The research involved can be split into four main subdivisions:

1. Optical Network Design – This research focuses on the effects of new devices on architecture limitations and network performance, as well as the design of MAN-LAN interfaces that incorporate wavelength conversion.

2. Tunable VCSELs – This includes using CRVCLs to generate and convert WDM signals, focusing on 850nm and 1300nm wavelength devices.

3. All Optical Wavelength Conversion – The research focus in this area is two pump four wave mixing in a semiconductor optical amplifier, emphasizing high speed and polarization independent wavelength conversion.

4. Add/Drop Filters and Photoreceivers – Filters based on a ring or race-track structure, coupled to a pair of adjacent waveguides, are being investigated.