PETAL · Polarization condEnsation for Telecom AppLications

The aim of the PETAL project is to provide a radically novel approach to polarization control issues and to transform this parameter into an additional fully exploited asset rather than a problem to be avoided. While current opto-electronic technologies are principally based on complex active-feedback loop control and algorithms, the breakthrough idea of PETAL is to explore a new type of phenomenon based on the unexpected ability of light to self-pull, self-trap and self-stabilize its own polarization state. Based on a nonlinear effect occurring in optical fibers, this all-optical, broadband and quasi-instantaneous polarization condensation phenomenon could find many applications in photonics and open up the path to new exciting researches and horizons.In this project, PETAL will first focus on proof-of-principle and theoretical/numerical modeling of the polarization condensation phenomenon before implementing this concept in novel and original optical functions for telecommunication applications. In particular, PETAL will report the first experimental observation of an all-optical self-stabilization and control of signal polarization with an error free transmission. PETAL will also show that polarization condensation could provide optical regeneration or detection of polarization multiplexed signals and could be used to implement ideal polarization beam splitter or simplify current coherent receiver. Based on this novel concept, PETAL will also demonstrate new all-optical functions for signal processing such as optical flip-flop memory, isotropic-like span transmission or polarization-based router. Moreover, PETAL aims to go beyond the polarization issues and will generalize this concept to spatial mode multiplexing applications. Finally, miniaturization and multi-implementation of these novel functions will be carried out in a same device so as to report the first field-trial experiment of such a technology.""