FOTON–INSA : Optical functions for telecommunications

UMR CNRS 6082

Research Topics

• Growth of nanostructures : Semiconductor nanostructures with quantum wells and quantum dots for photonic applications (Telecom and mid infra-red spectral windows).
• Laser devices, optical microcavities, ultra-high-speed saturable absorbers, etc.
  

Performance indicators

• Growth of structures using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Optical and electrical characterisation;  nanostructure modelling; device properties; manufacture of devices; successful cleanroom experimentation.
• World Record
  Production of laser nanostructures with quantum dots emitting at 1.55 μm, with a threshold current setting a state-of-the-art standard.
  Producion of saturable absorbers at 1.55 µm with a record time constant of 0.29 ps.
  

Technology transfer

• France Telecom R&D
  All optical routing by pn junction diodes using quantum confined Stark effect in quantum wells
• France Telecom R&D
  High speed (~20Gb/s) saturable absorber using quantum wells for all optical signal regeneration
• Alcatel optronics
  Study of optical non-linear effects in InAs/InP QDs for optical signal processing
  

European networks

• Member of the European network of excellence on nanostructures SANDIE (quality accreditation)
• Member of the European network of excellence on optical components ePIX (quality accreditation)
  

Facilities

Technical platform :

• 2 MBE chambers
• X-ray diffraction
• AFM
• Pump-probe, experiment using pulses (0.1ps pulsewidth, 1.4-1.6 μm spectral range)
• Workbenches for basic photonic measurements

Cleanroom: regional-level facility of the national network for technology and research (accredited by the French Ministry of Research).