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enginuity |  |
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Let there be light…
The
Photonics Communications research group, set up in CUED less than a year ago
is looking surprisingly established. Currently based at 10 Downing Street, the
group is flourishing under the leadership of Professor Ian White, recently returned
to Cambridge from the University of Bristol. Working with Dr Richard Penty,
he brings with him a number of research contracts and a substantial number of
researchers-there are now 25 working in the labs.
From the outside, 10 Downing Street looks like any other office block, filled with a selection of civil servants and insurance brokers. The vast array of electronic equipment on the first floor comes as something of a surprise. Even more so when you notice that this is a real hands-on type lab, with hardly a computer in sight!
Professor White summarises the researches in progress: "Photonics is based
on the use of light rather than electronics and can be used in communications.
This field does not have the maturity of electronics, but there are advantages
in communication performance, and possibilities for fast wireless networking
that are now being taken seriously. We are developing systems that have the
potential to increase the speed of communications by 10-100 times (giving broadband
operation)."
"Our optical systems for wireless communication have particular application for improving mobile phone communications in places such as airports and stations. In collaboration with UCL, we recently won an award for our innovative low cost solution for improving communications in such places."
"Another area in which we are working is in developing very low cost communications between computers. This work uses physics-based research, but also involves Materials Scientists who are working with us to develop micro-lasers operating at a single wavelength. The components use nanoscale photonic crystals. If we can generate lasers that remain stable as temperatures fluctuate then we can start producing the high performance required."
"One
of the main attractions of bringing our research to Cambridge is the willingness
that different research groups have to collaborate. We have identified around
twelve groups working in this area, and have already set up collaborations with
five of them. It is a very powerful approach."
"We are now starting to develop optical systems with greater functionality for next generation computer networks. Our ideas have already been adopted by several large companies such as NTT and BT and the group has been responsible over 20 patents."
Recent highlights have included involvement in the development of the' Offset
Launch' technique now adopted as the Gigabit Ethernet standard, and the first
photonic crystal laser able to be used for optical communications.
For more information, please contact Professor
Ian White, T:01223 332675.
| number 11, autumn '02 |