| Abstract |
The project aims at the development of optical switch technologies for packet-switched opti- cal networks, based on semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) using self-organised (InGa)As/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) as active region. QD SOAs exhibit broad gain spectra, ena- bling the amplification of high-bandwidth spectral channels in coarse wavelength division multi- plexed communication systems. Optical routing and switching device technology will be com- bined with novel GaAs-based long-wavelength emitters at 1.3 µm. This interdisciplinary ap- proach combines optical datacom techniques with semiconductor nanotechnology. The project is expected to advance the application of nanotechnology in optoelectronics with the aim of implementing quantum-dot material technology into integrated optoelectronic circuits for larger-bandwidth optical datacom and thus complies with the Thematic Priority 2 (1ST) of FP6. The projects builds on recent evidence that QD systems could be eminently suitable for wide-band switching applications and might substantially improve the performance of next gen- eration datacom systems. The conjunction of both research fields has not been performed to an extent that allows the full exploitation of the advantages of quantum-dot based optoelectronic materials. The applicant, originating from Germany, will benefit from superb training by the host or- ganization, the University of Cambridge (UK). He will gain expertise in combining materials science with research on next-generation photonic datacom solutions. At the end of the fellow- ship, the applicant\'s scientific skills will range from materials nanotechnology over optoelec- tronic devices up to architectures for future high-capacity all-optical networks. Such a threefold combination of expertise is very rare and will significantly contribute to enhance EU scientific excellence.
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