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Supercontinuum Generation in a Nitride Semiconductor Photonic Integrated Circuit

Running

Running

Prime contractor
Organisational Unit
28 March 2024

Duration: 18 months

Objective

We aim to unlock the potential of gallium nitride (GaN) for photonic integrated circuits (PICs) in space applications. GaN's unique combination of large optical nonlinearities, high power capability, monolithic co-integration with electronics, and radiation resilience promises enhanced performance during extended space missions. Thanks to a unique concentration of R&D expertise and capital resources, the project partners will overcome prior material loss and coupling efficiency limitations in order to demonstrate highly nonlinear and low-loss waveguides for efficient supercontinuum generation for f-2f interferometry for the first time in a GaN PIC. This demonstrator will showcase GaN's potential as a PIC platform. Our project builds upon GaN's successful industrial track record in lighting, power, and microwave applications to reinforce the European Space Agency’s technology leadership in precision metrology for satellite telecommunication and navigation systems, such as V-band voltage-controlled oscillators stabilized by microwave photonics. Past ESA investments to qualify a local GaN microwave electronics supply chain will accelerate the mission readiness timeline of GaN PICs.

Contract number
4000144309
Programme
OSIP Idea Id
I-2023-08605
Related OSIP Campaign
Open Channel
Main application area
Science
Budget
174870€
Supercontinuum Generation in a Nitride Semiconductor Photonic Integrated Circuit