CombTools | Chip-Scale Optical Frequency Combs for Communications and Sensing: A Toolkit for System Integration

Summary
Chip-scale Kerr comb generators have emerged as a novel class of light sources with disruptive potential for a variety of applications such as hyper-scale optical communications, LiDAR, high-resolution spectroscopy, or ultra-broadband signal processing. Still, Kerr combs have not yet found their way into commercially relevant applications. This is mainly caused by the fact that high-performance comb generators are currently not available as commercial products. Another obstacle is the lack of additional tools that are needed for comb-based signal processing.
CombTools aims at overcoming these obstacles by establishing a powerful technology base and a corresponding ecosystem for leveraging the full potential of Kerr combs in highly relevant application fields. On the technology level, we will develop copper-contamination-free silicon-nitride photonic integrated circuit with record-low propagation loss. Based on this, CombTools will offer low-barrier “democratized” access to comb generators with unprecedented performance, thereby preparing the ground for many follow-up innovations. We will further establish dedicated tools for comb-based signal processing, comprising comb-line processors, arrays of advanced electro-optic modulators, and control modules for comb synchronization. The performance of the developed technology will be shown in a series of ground-breaking demonstrations.
CombTools brings together a carefully selected consortium that covers proven competences in technology, product engineering, and business development. The project can rely on a strong technology base developed by the group of Tobias Kippenberg at EPFL. This technology has been licensed to the high-tech start-up Deeplight, bringing Kerr-comb technology to the market through its German subsidiary Deeplight GmbH. The consortium further comprises Nokia as a leading international player, thereby offering an ideal framework for industrial innovation and entrepreneurial activities in the EU.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101136978
Start date: 01-01-2024
End date: 31-12-2026
Total budget - Public funding: 2 523 585,00 Euro - 2 523 585,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Chip-scale Kerr comb generators have emerged as a novel class of light sources with disruptive potential for a variety of applications such as hyper-scale optical communications, LiDAR, high-resolution spectroscopy, or ultra-broadband signal processing. Still, Kerr combs have not yet found their way into commercially relevant applications. This is mainly caused by the fact that high-performance comb generators are currently not available as commercial products. Another obstacle is the lack of additional tools that are needed for comb-based signal processing.
CombTools aims at overcoming these obstacles by establishing a powerful technology base and a corresponding ecosystem for leveraging the full potential of Kerr combs in highly relevant application fields. On the technology level, we will develop copper-contamination-free silicon-nitride photonic integrated circuit with record-low propagation loss. Based on this, CombTools will offer low-barrier “democratized” access to comb generators with unprecedented performance, thereby preparing the ground for many follow-up innovations. We will further establish dedicated tools for comb-based signal processing, comprising comb-line processors, arrays of advanced electro-optic modulators, and control modules for comb synchronization. The performance of the developed technology will be shown in a series of ground-breaking demonstrations.
CombTools brings together a carefully selected consortium that covers proven competences in technology, product engineering, and business development. The project can rely on a strong technology base developed by the group of Tobias Kippenberg at EPFL. This technology has been licensed to the high-tech start-up Deeplight, bringing Kerr-comb technology to the market through its German subsidiary Deeplight GmbH. The consortium further comprises Nokia as a leading international player, thereby offering an ideal framework for industrial innovation and entrepreneurial activities in the EU.

Status

SIGNED

Call topic

HORIZON-EIC-2023-TRANSITIONCHALLENGES-03

Update Date

12-03-2024
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Horizon Europe
HORIZON.3 Innovative Europe
HORIZON.3.1 The European Innovation Council (EIC)
HORIZON.3.1.0 Cross-cutting call topics
HORIZON-EIC-2023-TRANSITION-01
HORIZON-EIC-2023-TRANSITIONCHALLENGES-03 EIC Transition Challenge: Chip-scale optical frequency combs