The use of optical sources which are compact and tunable in terms of wavelength is a major research topic in which we at the  Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP) have been investing over the last years. Recent advances in optical fibre technology have led to an increasing interest in optical fibre sources applied mainly, but not exclusively, in telecommunications, sensing and remote detection procedures.
The gain for optical fibre sources is either obtained through rare earth ions with diode laser excitation laser (Er, Yb, Nd, …), or by nonlinear effects in the fibre’s core (Raman, Brillouin, FWM, etc.).

Past and ongoing projects include the high power and high spectral purity sources for LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), the sources blocked by the absorption peak of a gas, the sources with simultaneous emissions in several wavelengths with regular spacing, and the ultra long lasers used in encrypted communications and for remote detection.

We are also exploring the theme of chaotic propagation for microlasers. The aim is to study the feasibility of using optical fibre microlasers in acoustic-optical sensors.

Partners:

• Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales (France)
• Institute of Physical High Technology (Germany)
• Thales Research and Technology (France)
• Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium)