MIRACLE · Mid-InfraRed Active photonic integrated Circuits for Lifesciences and Environment

My group will explore the new field of photonic integrated circuits for the mid infrared (MIR) wavelength band based on high-index contrast waveguide structures. This research is fueled by the need for compact, integrated solutions for spectroscopic sensor systems in the MIR for biomedical applications and environmental monitoring, since most molecules have fingerprint absorption lines in this wavelength range. The project is based on the use of high index contrast group IV waveguide systems. To extend the functionality of the photonic integrated circuit, my group will heterogeneously integrate other materials (III-V semiconductors, LiNbO3, MCT, chalcogenides, polymers) on the high index contrast waveguide system for particular optical functions. My group will start exploring this field by focusing on three cornerstone applications. The research will focus on the realization of a MIR lab-on-a-chip spectroscopic system, a fully integrated MIR Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy system (FTIR) and an integrated optical parametric oscillator to address new wavelength ranges, all integrated on a silicon photonic integrated circuit. Each of these three cornerstones would be world s first mid-infrared systems-on-a-chip and thus a breakthrough. Inherently this makes this a relatively high risk/very high gain proposal. My group will combine the strengths of the two institutes which support this proposal, i.e. the world class silicon photonics and heterogeneous integration technology at Ghent University/IMEC and the world class III-V and plasmonic technology at the Technical University of Eindhoven. I strongly believe that my program will open a whole new window of opportunities in the mid-infrared with a large impact on science and society.