Technology title

Integrated photonic device for wavelength selective mode division multiplexing for combining both wavelength division multiplexing and mode division multiplexing

Technology overview

This technology utilises coupled gratings which are designed to be sensitive at specific wavelengths using specific mode orders. This enables us to separate or combine optical data transmitted at different wavelengths or using different modes into their different components, such that they can be separately detected and processed. Because the optical structures are also wavelength selective, the mode division multiplexing functionality is easily combined with wavelength division multiplexing such that over 500X the original data capacity can be supported within the telecommunications band, compared to a single waveguide without any multiplexing strategies.

Technology specifications

This invention enables both mode division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing to be combined on an integrated optics platform such that it can carry 100 – 500 times more data capacity than a non–multiplexed medium. Most other technologies are able to perform either wavelength of mode division multiplexing at any one time but not both at the same time. Our technique allows both multiplexing techniques to be combined, and with better efficiencies (extinction ratios) with other competing techniques.

Sector

This technology is applicable to the telecommunications, semiconductors, data centres and high performance computing sector.

Market opportunity

Data centres in the US alone consumed over 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2017, equivalent to the output of 34 coal-fired power stations. A significant proportion of this energy is used for signal conversion and cooling. Our all-optical signal processing technology eliminates these energy-intensive conversions, substantially reducing electricity consumption while improving network transmission speed. This presents a significant market opportunity in energy-efficient data centre solutions, addressing both operating costs and environmental concerns

Applications

Key applications include optical interconnects for data centres, telecommunications and microprocessors. 

Customer benefits

Enhances overall system performance by enabling faster and more reliable data transmission.

Technology readiness level

TRL 4

Ideal collaboration partner 

Ideal collaboration partners include organisations seeking to license and commercialise this technology.

Collaboration mode

This technology is suitable for commercialisation.