Next generation photonic waveguide sensors enabled by machine learning. This project aims to establish the next frontier in photonic waveguide sensing, by using machine learning to shift the complexity out of conventional photonic-waveguide/optical-fibre sensors and into smart detection algorithms. The complexity and instability of multimode photonic waveguides, traditionally a hinderance to sensing, will be advantageously employed to train deep learning models for sensing. Expected outcomes inc ....Next generation photonic waveguide sensors enabled by machine learning. This project aims to establish the next frontier in photonic waveguide sensing, by using machine learning to shift the complexity out of conventional photonic-waveguide/optical-fibre sensors and into smart detection algorithms. The complexity and instability of multimode photonic waveguides, traditionally a hinderance to sensing, will be advantageously employed to train deep learning models for sensing. Expected outcomes include the creation of intelligent photonic sensors that can, in principle, measure any environmental parameter using any optical waveguide material. It will create new critically needed measurement capabilities for challenging harsh environments, such as extreme temperature and in-vivo biochemical sensing.Read moreRead less
Laser emission at the limit of glass transparency using nanocrystal doping . We will create a new composite glass providing strong fluorescence which fully exploits the high transmission of glass in the mid-infrared. When combined with emerging rare earth ion transitions and precise excitation processes, this project will help solve an important problem in optics; that the overall efficiency and power produced from deep mid-infrared light sources is not sufficient for all industries. The primary ....Laser emission at the limit of glass transparency using nanocrystal doping . We will create a new composite glass providing strong fluorescence which fully exploits the high transmission of glass in the mid-infrared. When combined with emerging rare earth ion transitions and precise excitation processes, this project will help solve an important problem in optics; that the overall efficiency and power produced from deep mid-infrared light sources is not sufficient for all industries. The primary outcome will be a series of robust fibre-based gain modules suitable for high power and very short optical pulses in the mid-infrared. These light sources will beneficially impact medicine, defence, sensing and manufacturing providing excellent opportunities for increasing Australian productivity and global competitiveness. Read moreRead less
Seeing the light: high-power visible-light generation using silicate fibre. Unlike their near-infrared counterparts, visible-light-emitting lasers are inefficient and complicated, impacting their broader deployment in industry, medicine, and telecommunications. To address this, we will create a new class of laser and amplifier based on an entirely new doped silicate glass fibre that will display low background loss and resilience to photodegradation from high-power visible light. This will solve ....Seeing the light: high-power visible-light generation using silicate fibre. Unlike their near-infrared counterparts, visible-light-emitting lasers are inefficient and complicated, impacting their broader deployment in industry, medicine, and telecommunications. To address this, we will create a new class of laser and amplifier based on an entirely new doped silicate glass fibre that will display low background loss and resilience to photodegradation from high-power visible light. This will solve one of the last important problems in fibre laser research. The primary outcome will be a series of high-power continuous-wave, ultrashort-pulse, all-fibre lasers emitting at yellow and red wavelengths, with significant benefits for space, defence, manufacturing, and human health.Read moreRead less