To develop next-generation optical sensors and photonics microchip technologies, the RTU Communication Systems Technology Research Center of the Telecommunications Institute of the Computer Science, Information Technology, and Energy Faculty (FCSITE) has purchased a new high-resolution optical spectrum analyzer with the support of Mikrotīkls SIA.
«Optical communication systems are based on high-speed optical fiber infrastructure, for which it is important to perform high-quality, accurate, and fast processing and analysis of transmitted and received optical signals,» explained Jānis Braunfelds, a researcher at the Telecommunications Institute. He develops multifunctional fiber optic sensor systems for various applications, such as monitoring the quality of roads or the condition of buildings and objects.
The new high-resolution optical spectrum analyzer enables the transmission of various components such as broadband laser diodes, laser sources, and sensors such as fiber Bragg grating sensors, which are often used by RTU scientists in their research, as well as optical chips, passive optical components, and other elements such as characteristic curve measurements. In addition, as J. Braunfelds pointed out, the device allows users to save, process, and analyze the measurement results in digital form. This greatly facilitates the analysis of the measurements, he added, simultaneously displaying several characteristic curves on the screen that clearly show the changes in the measurements.
«We do not produce the sensors ourselves, but we model them, and they are produced according to our technical parameters. To check whether the sensors exactly meet all the parameters specified in the technical specification, we need to test them. This requires a spectrum analyzer. It is also irreplaceable in sensor calibration, » J.Braunfelds added.
The use of the device is wide reaching - both in optical sensor solutions and in the development of optical frequency comb generators, the analysis of new and improved modulation formats for fiber optic communication systems, the evaluation of the optical signal-to-noise ratio, and in the evaluation of the signal bandwidth, in microchips, nanophotonics solutions, etc. «Actually, it is necessary in all directions of research that we develop here,» he added.
RTU FCSITE scientists have drawn attention to themselves both in the international academic and business environment with their achievements in the development of photonics microchip technologies. This year alone, they have achieved several world records in Data Center interconnection technologies using silicon photonics chips, and truly cherish the idea of creating a chip testing and designing laboratory, and later a microchip packaging and prototyping center at RTU.
Compared to the previously used equipment, which J. Braunfelds referred to as the «grandfather of the laboratory», this one has a 250 times higher resolution. Other research organizations or companies in Latvia do not currently have such equipment. Therefore, the Institute of Telecommunications invites both RTU scientists and representatives of other institutes and companies to cooperate and perform high-precision measurements in the development of new products and/or research.
Along with this high-level research and strengthening cooperation with industry, the new facility also opens the opportunity for students to acquire and develop necessary skills and create final theses. In turn, the institute gains another advantage in attracting local and international students, as well as post-doctoral researchers.
This is the second time that RTU Telecommunication Institute's Research Center for Communication Systems Technologies has added scientific equipment with the support of SIA «Mikrotīkls.» Previously, a multi-functional programmable specialized fiber optic welding machine was purchased, which scientists say is one of the most used telecommunications equipment today. It is mainly used to fuse the ends of two optical fibers or in the creation of optical elements. Other representatives of RTU and other research organizations and companies are also invited to use this equipment.
J. Braunfelds does not hide his satisfaction with SIA «Mikrotīkls» support for the laboratory, because Latvian science lacks financial instruments with the help of which to modernize scientific equipment.
SIA «Mikrotīkls» has been a cooperation partner of RTU Development Fund since 2017. During these years, the company has donated more than 3.25 million euros for the modernization of RTU laboratories, infrastructure improvement, and the purchase of equipment.
