MATCH · Multicore fiber Applications and TeCHnologies

Multicore fiber Applications and TeCHnologies (MATCH) is a doctoral training network proposed by a multidisciplinary and intersectoral consortium of international experts. This network directs PhD research toward multicore fibre (MCF) technology, which is recognized as the leading solution for scaling future optical fibre communication networks towards emerging information capacities, while offering the potential to lower costs, reduce power consumption and significantly boost network capacity by over tenfold while remaining as compatible as possible with current infrastructure. The MATCH programme outlines a comprehensive set of research and training objectives tailored to 13 doctoral candidates (DCs). The cohort of DCs will be hosted by 16 partners (11 from academia and 5 from the industrial sector) with exposure to cutting-edge optical fibre technology/photonic device realization/communication system engineering, and with training by leading fellows in MCF expertise worldwide. The planned training activities of DCs include 32 secondments, 7 mini-symposiums, 3 transferable skills workshops, summer schools, and tutorials, among others. In MATCH program, DCs will acquire expertise in diverse areas, encompassing (i) design and fabrication of MCFs with transmission capacities surpassing the state-of-the-art; (ii) design and implementation of MCF components and subsystems, with a focus on optical amplifiers and switches, multiple frequency comb sources, and parallel-scalable signal processing architectures; (iii) development and implementation of machine learning techniques for end-to-end performance optimization of MCF networks; and (iv) design and evaluation of coexistence of telecom and non-telecom signals in MCF networks. By engaging the expertise of MATCH academic and industrial partners, DCs will acquire distinct skills and knowledge to transform them to globally-minded scientists and engineers, who will help to shape Europe’s ICT future and societal wellbeing.