NOVEL STUCTURES AND MATERIALS IN MICROSTRUCTURED POLYMER OPTICAL FIBRES. Last year we succeeded in fabricating the microstructured polymer optical fibres (MPOF). This work means that the fabrication constraints applying to similar glass fibres can be overcome, and entirely new types of structures can be investigated. As polymers can contain a much larger variety of dopants than glass the material properties of MPOF can also be fully exploited to develop new fibre functionalities. The combination ....NOVEL STUCTURES AND MATERIALS IN MICROSTRUCTURED POLYMER OPTICAL FIBRES. Last year we succeeded in fabricating the microstructured polymer optical fibres (MPOF). This work means that the fabrication constraints applying to similar glass fibres can be overcome, and entirely new types of structures can be investigated. As polymers can contain a much larger variety of dopants than glass the material properties of MPOF can also be fully exploited to develop new fibre functionalities. The combination of structural and material flexibility possible in MPOF offer the opportunity to radically redefine what is possible in microstructured fibres. It is these possibilities that we aim to explore in this project.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346822
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,000.00
Summary
Polymer Optical Fibre Drawing Facility. A revolutionary new technology is emerging in polymer optical fibres, sparked by an important breakthrough in polymer optical fibres that was achieved last year by researchers at the University of Sydney. Therefore, Australia currently has a unique and short-lived opportunity to firmly establish themselves as the world leaders of this technology, provided the infrastructure to realise the novel concepts is available. We request funding for a high-quality p ....Polymer Optical Fibre Drawing Facility. A revolutionary new technology is emerging in polymer optical fibres, sparked by an important breakthrough in polymer optical fibres that was achieved last year by researchers at the University of Sydney. Therefore, Australia currently has a unique and short-lived opportunity to firmly establish themselves as the world leaders of this technology, provided the infrastructure to realise the novel concepts is available. We request funding for a high-quality polymer optical fibre draw tower to enable this. The collaborating institutions will be fabricating a range of different polymer optical fibres, targeting specific applications in optical sensing and telecommunications.Read moreRead less
Microstructured polymer interconnects for photonic devices. Efficient interconnection of photonic components is the most critical research problem facing the photonics industry in its efforts for integration. In this project, interconnects for photonic systems will be developed, utilising a recently developed new class of fibres - microstructured optical fibres, which have been called 'the next generation' of optical fibres because of their ability to produce a variety of tailorisable optical ef ....Microstructured polymer interconnects for photonic devices. Efficient interconnection of photonic components is the most critical research problem facing the photonics industry in its efforts for integration. In this project, interconnects for photonic systems will be developed, utilising a recently developed new class of fibres - microstructured optical fibres, which have been called 'the next generation' of optical fibres because of their ability to produce a variety of tailorisable optical effects. Specially designed and modified microstructured fibres will be developed to achieve efficient coupling from fibre to planar waveguide circuits, and to a range of photonic band gap devices that are currently being developed by the industry partner.Read moreRead less
Adaptive optical devices by microstructuring of nanocomposite materials. This project will develop novel nanocomposite materials and use them to fabricate adaptive optical devices designed and fabricated using innovative methods. Specifically, we will develop and characterise transparent composite materials comprising a dispersion of nano-sized inclusions within a polymer host. The properties of these materials will be tailored to allow fabrication of adaptive optical devices (e.g. tunable filte ....Adaptive optical devices by microstructuring of nanocomposite materials. This project will develop novel nanocomposite materials and use them to fabricate adaptive optical devices designed and fabricated using innovative methods. Specifically, we will develop and characterise transparent composite materials comprising a dispersion of nano-sized inclusions within a polymer host. The properties of these materials will be tailored to allow fabrication of adaptive optical devices (e.g. tunable filters and optical switches), which will be key components in future high-performance optical systems. Inverse scattering design methods will be extended to design two-dimensional bandgap devices which will be fabricated by microstructuring of the composite polymer materials.Read moreRead less
Development of Novel Polymer Optical Fiber Gratings. Polymer optical fiber gratings have attracted extensive worldwide research interest due to the excellent tunability and high sensitivity. They can be well developed into major devices for future optical communication and fiber sensing. But the research on polymer optical fiber are still at the early stage and the overall achievable performance of polymer optical fiber grating remains modest in comparison with that achieved in silica fiber grat ....Development of Novel Polymer Optical Fiber Gratings. Polymer optical fiber gratings have attracted extensive worldwide research interest due to the excellent tunability and high sensitivity. They can be well developed into major devices for future optical communication and fiber sensing. But the research on polymer optical fiber are still at the early stage and the overall achievable performance of polymer optical fiber grating remains modest in comparison with that achieved in silica fiber grating. This project addresses a range of key issues with scientific and technological importance on further exploring polymer optical fiber gratings for future industrial applications.Read moreRead less
One Step Pre-forms for Microstructured Polymer Optical Fibre. The pre-form rods this project yields will enable polymer optical fibre technology, just as suitable glass pre-forms enabled today's optical fibre. One-step casting techniques will yield PMMA rods with arrays of internal channels which can be empty, or filled with different clear polymer. Polymer microstructured optical fibre (PMOF) suitable for high bandwidth communications is then produced by drawing. It is urgently needed for local ....One Step Pre-forms for Microstructured Polymer Optical Fibre. The pre-form rods this project yields will enable polymer optical fibre technology, just as suitable glass pre-forms enabled today's optical fibre. One-step casting techniques will yield PMMA rods with arrays of internal channels which can be empty, or filled with different clear polymer. Polymer microstructured optical fibre (PMOF) suitable for high bandwidth communications is then produced by drawing. It is urgently needed for local communication networks in cars and buildings. Solid PMOF channels are new to this project, and should make PMOF easier to deploy. Nanoscale mapping of light transport modes and polymer defects will help validate channel designs.Read moreRead less
Development of deformation-failure-mechanism based parameters for design of microstructured optical fibre and photonics assembly. Australia has exceptional quality and depth in photon science research, with a demonstrated capacity to found and grow commercial ventures. However, the optimal design of interconnections in a photonic package is severely restricted by a lack of detailed knowledge of their deformation and failure mechanisms. The proposed study will use novel techniques to create a bas ....Development of deformation-failure-mechanism based parameters for design of microstructured optical fibre and photonics assembly. Australia has exceptional quality and depth in photon science research, with a demonstrated capacity to found and grow commercial ventures. However, the optimal design of interconnections in a photonic package is severely restricted by a lack of detailed knowledge of their deformation and failure mechanisms. The proposed study will use novel techniques to create a basis for mechanism-based deformation and failure models that will then be used to improve the design and lifetime of new type microstructured optical fibres and adhesive assemblies, expanding and enhancing Australia's capacity in the areas.
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