Photonic Phase Conjugation Systems (PHOS)

Lead Research Organisation: University of Southampton
Department Name: Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC)

Abstract

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Description The PHOS project relates to the application of optical phase conjugation systems in the transmission of data signals in fibre optic communications. Through experimental demonstrations, we have shown that phase conjugation can substantially improve the quality of signals at the point of detection. Furthermore, PHOS has aimed to demonstrate how optical processing systems, i.e. systems that allow processing of data signals in an optical form without requiring an electronic processor, can be made practical for use in real-world applications. To this effect, we have developed a black-box prototype that performs wavelength conversion (the physical process underlying optical phase conjugation) and can be operated without any prior knowledge of the physical processes that take place in it. The prototype has been fully packaged and a suitable software has been developed to offer a suitable level of abstraction to the user. We believe that this represents one of the most complex optical prototype sub-systems ever attempted, requiring automated control of a number of off-the-shelf optical components.
At the later stages of the project, we have explored in depth the onset of deleterious parametric frequency components and developed techniques for combating them. These components can give rise to crosstalk (i.e. interference with other (wanted) frequency components that compromise their quality) and severly limit the practicality of optical nonlinear systems. The technique developed in PHOS, which we have since patented, relies on dividing the signal propagation in the nonlinear device into two halves, and using the second half to "undo" the nonlinear effects responsible for the generation of undesired components during propagation in the first half.
Other contributions that have resulted from PHOS relate to the exploitation of new frequency bands for optical communications and detailed studies into the effects of fibre birefringence and the stimulated Brillouin scattering on the performance of nonlinear optical devices.
Exploitation Route The core objectives of the project have been met, and significant contributions to the transmission and processing of optical signals have been achieved. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the project has been affected severely by the pandemic, and as a result several of the activities that had been initially planned in order to generate and accelerate the project's impact had either to be put on hold or carried out on an ad hoc manner and virtually, which has admittedly been short of ideal.
The development of the wavelength converter prototype in the project has offered a first-class opportunity to disseminate the project technology to outside users. Following the end of the project, we will continue to engage with the industrial partners of the project to obtain feedback and offer trials of the prototype in their testbeds. We will consult with our academic collaborators, especially those specialising in network control and management to explore routes for further development. We have already carried out an (online) presentation of the prototype at the world's greatest optical communications conference (OFC).
Additionally, we anticipate that the patent that has been filed through the research in PHOS will offer opportunities for further engagement both with industrial and academic partners, and will expand the application field of optical signal processing.
Sectors Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Security and Diplomacy
 
Description Implementations studied within PHOS were developed in a prototype through a project co-funded by an external (undisclosed) sponsor and the Univ. of Southampton's EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account.The prototype was delivered to the sponsor and is being used in their laboratories. One patent has been filed from the research carried out in PHOS and we will next engage with industrial partners to understand their interest in getting access to the technology. The findings from these project have led to further research, demonstrating wavelength conversion that is free from any spurious crosstalk effects that would otherwise be present.
First Year Of Impact 2020
Sector Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Security and Diplomacy
Impact Types Economic
 
Description An ultra-fast ultra-broadband photonic measurement facility
Amount £2,507,782 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/X030040/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2023 
End 12/2023
 
Description Industrial funding supported by RCUK Impact Acceleration Account Award
Amount £220,000 (GBP)
Organisation University of Southampton 
Sector Academic/University
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2019 
End 06/2021
 
Description National Dark Fibre Facility
Amount £4,900,552 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/S028854/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 03/2019 
End 05/2024
 
Description Silicon-rich silicon nitride Nonlinear Integrated Photonic ciRcuits & Systems (juNIPeRS)
Amount £1,123,974 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/T007303/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 09/2019 
End 03/2023
 
Title Mode division multiplexing free space optical transmission 
Description  
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? Yes  
URL https://researchdata.aston.ac.uk/id/eprint/538
 
Description Collaboration with University of West Attica 
Organisation University of West Attica
Country Greece 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Experimental implementation of machine learning concepts at 1300nm.
Collaborator Contribution Development of machine learning algorithms for application in 1300-nm transmission systems.
Impact Work currently in progress.
Start Year 2020
 
Description DTU ML transmission 
Organisation Technical University of Denmark
Department Department of Photonics Engineering
Country Denmark 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We carried out experiments in our labs and over the EPSRC National Dark Fibre Facility.
Collaborator Contribution They provided machine learning algorithms for controlling the transmission over the network. This was a collaborative experiment with our collaborators processing the data that we generated, and feeding back the signal parameters that were needed for the transmission.
Impact Ongoing research.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Project Partner - Aston 
Organisation Aston University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution Exchange of ideas; work on project deliverables
Collaborator Contribution Exchange of ideas; work on project deliverables
Impact No joint research outputs yet.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Project Partner - BT 
Organisation BT Group
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Exchange of ideas
Collaborator Contribution Exchange of ideas; industrial expertise
Impact No outputs yet.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Project Partner - Huawei 
Organisation Huawei Technologies Research and Development UK Ltd
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Expertise on parametric amplifiers
Collaborator Contribution Exchange of ideas; industrial perspective
Impact Confidential
Start Year 2018
 
Description Project Partner - OFS 
Organisation OFS Denmark
Country Denmark 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Novel use of fiber technology
Collaborator Contribution Access to specialty fibres
Impact [1] K. R. H. Bottrill, N. Taengnoi, F. Parmigiani, D. J. Richardson, and P. Petropoulos, "PAM4 transmission over 360 km of fibre using optical phase conjugation," OSA Continuum, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 973-982, 2019/03/15 2019. [2] K. R. H. Bottrill, N. Taengnoi, Y. Hong, D. J. Richardson, and P. Petropoulos, "Self-pumping saturated four wave mixing through harmonic synthesis," in ECOC'2019, Dublin, 2019, p. paper Tu.1.C.6. Ongoing work
Start Year 2018
 
Description Project Partner - Phoenix 
Organisation Phoenix Photonics Ltd.
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Development of novel sub-systems
Collaborator Contribution Prototyping expertise
Impact Ongoing work
Start Year 2018
 
Description Project Partner - Phoenix 
Organisation Phoenix Photonics Ltd.
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Development of novel sub-systems
Collaborator Contribution Prototyping expertise
Impact Ongoing work
Start Year 2018
 
Title APPARATUS FOR USE IN FOUR WAVE MIXING AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING A PHASE ADJUSTING MEANS THEREIN TO SUPPRESS UNWANTED IDLERS 
Description This filing describes a method for suppressing parasitic nonlinear components while preserving those required in a nonlinear optical system. The method is useful in applications relating to the processing of optical signals. 
IP Reference 2201809.7 
Protection Patent application published
Year Protection Granted 2022
Licensed No
Impact It is currently too early to say.
 
Description DTU workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact We delivered a presentation on our activities at a virtual workshop organised by the Danish Technical University. The presentation led directly to joint experiments with researchers at DTU that have made use of the National Dark Fibre Facility.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description OFC workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A workshop was organised on the theme of commercialisation of new photonic technologies. The event was organised by the PI of the award (Petropoulos) on behalf of the Optical Society of America, and included a presentation of a wavelength converter prototype that was developed during the project (delivered by Bottrill).
The event generated significant interest by the audience and led to follow-up discussions on the subject and specifically, the topic of the prototype developed during the project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Participation (by invitation) to international industrial workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Participation to present at a mini-symposium organised by an industrial partner, as part of their engagement activities with academia.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023