The Centre of Expertise in Photonics

CoEP research featured again in AdelaideNow

tilanka — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:31:02 +0000

Research being undertaken at Adelaide to provide in-situ sensing of chemicals using optical fibres has attracted a great deal of interest from the wine industry.

The technology, being developed at the University of Adelaide, will allow them to monitor and fix problems as they arise, without interfering with wine that should have been left in the barrel.

For more information, read the full article.

The world is more nonlinear than we think

tilanka — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:56:25 +0000

A team of scientists from the Institute for Photonics and Advance Sensing (IPAS) led by Dr. Shahraam Afshar have recently shown that optical fibres are more optically nonlinear than it was thought before. Through a fundamental study of optical nonlinear processes in optical fibres, Shahraam Afshar and his team have shown that the standard theories of nonlinear optical processes in waveguides have serious limitations when it comes to waveguides with sub-wavelength structures (nano-scale structures) made from high refractive index materials.

Theoretical simulation of a fibre mode

By developing a new and general theory of nonlinear optical processes, they have not only addressed these limitations but have also predicted new processes or effects that could have not been observed with the standard theories. The most important prediction of the new theory is that the light can be confined within an area twice smaller than fundamentally thought to be the minimum area. This results in higher light intensity, which in turn leads to higher nonlinearity of optical waveguides, which is described through a parameter called effective nonlinear coefficient.

Variation in the nonliear coefficent as a function of core diameter as perdicted by the different models. SM: Standard Model, ASM: , VNSE: , VNSE ORTH:

Afshar’s new theory predicts that the effective nonlinear coefficient of optical waveguides, can be factor 2 or more higher than what is expected according to the standard theory. Such prediction greatly affects the design and performance of nonlinear photonic devices. Utilizing the fabrication facility of IPAS, a newly formed institute led by Pro. Tanya Monro, the team has recently been successful to fabricate the world’s smallest core fibre with record nonlinear coefficient. Using these fibres Afshar’s team has recently confirmed experimentally the prediction of their new theory. The results of these fundamental theoretical and experimental breakthroughs have been published in prestigious journals and attracted a lot of interest among the experts in the field.

Experimental confirmation of the change in nonlinearity as a function of core diameter, as predicted by the new model.

The IPAS institute of the University of Adelaide has become a pioneer in establishing that:

The world is more nonlinear than we think

References

(1) S. Afshar V. and T. M. Monro, “ A full vectorial model for pulse propagation in emerging waveguides with subwavelength structurespart I:Kerr nonlinearity, ” Optics Express 17, 2298–2318 (2009).

(2) M. D. Turner, T. M. Monro and S. Afshar V., “ A full vectorial model for pulse propagation in emerging waveguides with subwavelength structures part II: Stimulated Raman Scattering, ” Optics Express 17, 11565–11581 (2009).

(3) S. Afshar V., W. Zhang and T. M. Monro, “ Experimental confirmation of a generalized definition of the effective nonlinear coefficient in emerging waveguides with subwavelength structures” CThBB6, CLEO Conference, Baltimore, USA (2009).

(4) T. M. Monro, W. Zhang, H. Ebendorff-Heiperiem, and S. Afshar V., “Emerging Nonlinear Optical Fibers: Revised Fundamentals, Fabrication and Access to Extreme Nonlinearity”, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Nov. Issue (2009)

(5) S. Afshar V., W. Zhang, H. Ebendorff-Heiperiem, and T. M. Monro, “Small core optical waveguides are more nonlinear than expected; Experimental confirmation”, Optics Letters, Accepted for publication.

Book Chapter:
(6) S. Afshar V., M. D. Turner and T. M. Monro, “Nonlinear optics in emerging waveguides: revised fundamentals and implications” in Supercontinuum Generation in Optical Fibers, edited by J. M.
Dudlley and J. R. Taylor, Cambridge University Press, under publication

CoEP research featured in AdelaideNow

tilanka — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:22:47 +0000

Prof Monro, the director of the CoEP and the soon-to-be-launched new Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, was recently featured [video] in one of SA’s premier e-journals, the AdelaideNow.

Watch Prof. Monro describe some of the CoEP's research. Picture (c) AdelaideNow.

The CoEP at Adelaide has been at the forefront of photonics research worldwide. Our research spans many areas and ideas all the way from fundamental science to high-end applications, closely tied with industry. In the interview Prof. Monro highlights how the CoEP is looking at ways to use lasers and optical fibres to develop technologies for applications ranging from defence to environmental monitoring and even chemical sensing and medicine.

Microstructured optical fibres enable in-situ sensing of various chemical and biological compounds. One of the many new ways in which photonics is changing how we do things.

With the multi-million dollar institute to be launched soon Adelaide will continue to be driving photonic research, bringing together multiple scientific disciplines to solve a vast range of problems.

Senior research position available in fibre laser research – expired.

tilanka — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:54:06 +0000

The CoEP is now advertising for a position in fibre laser research. Applicants will need to have postdoctoral research experience in the experimental development of fibre lasers.

If this interests you, proceed to the job details and apply now for a fantastic oppurtinuty to be part of a leading research facility.

Deadline: 18 September 2009

Stephen wins AOS Postgraduate Award

tilanka — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:58:51 +0000

Stephen Warren-Smith, a PhD student at the CoEP has been awarded the Australian Optical Society (AOS) Postgraduate Student Award. The competition of this award is stiff so this is indeed quite an achievement by Stephen.

The CoEP congratulates Stephen on this well-deserved honour!

The award will be presented at this year’s ACOFT/ACOLS conference to be held in Adelaide during the month of December.

SA Minister for Science visits CoEP facilities

tilanka — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:27:01 +0000

This week the South Australian Minister for Science, the Honourable Micheal O’Brien MP, visited the University of Adelaide and was given a short tour of the CoEP’s experimental facilities. These include state-of-the-art fibre and glass making facilities along with fibre characterisation labs.

Minister O’Brien was shown the glass and fibre fabrication approach and witnessed a live fibre draw – the process by which a macroscopic glass ‘preform’ is drawn down to a microscopic optical fibre.

Pictured left to right: Martyn Evans (Director, Community Engagement), Prof Tanya Monro, Minister O'Brien and Prof James McWha (Vice-Chancellor, University of Adelaide)

We hope the Minister enjoyed his visit and would like to thank him again for taking the time to tour our facilities.

Poster award goes to Erik Schartner

tilanka — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:43:41 +0000

Every year the School of Chemistry and Physics at the university of Adelaide holds a research poster event where PhD students are invited to make up posters describing their research. Awards are given to the best poster from each year.

This year Erik Schartner, a PhD student involved in the area of fibre sensing, won the prize for the best poster in his category.

Many congratulations to Erik on his award!

Positions available – expired 10 Aug.

tilanka — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:32:06 +0000

The CoEP is currently advertising for a number of postdoctoral research posotions.

These offer oppurtunities in the key areas of optical fibre sensing and fibre lasers and will integrate with the recently formed new research institute, IPAS – the institute for Photonics & Advanced Sensing.

The deadline for applications is the 10th August 2009.

Honours award

tilanka — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:12:29 +0000

Congratulations to Mark Turner, who completed honours with the Centre in 2008, on winning one of only 18 University medals.

These are presented to the most outstanding graduates in each faculty who have completed the Honours degree, degree with Honours, or a degree of Bachelor of at least four years duration.

The Medals are awarded for outstanding academic performance across the whole of the nominees’ studies at university, and not for academic performance at the Honours level alone.

So congratulations again to Mark for his fantastic achievement.

Prof Monro wins PM’s emerging leaders award

tilanka — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:47:05 +0000

Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, today named Professor Tanya Monro as one of 10 emerging young Australian leaders.

From the Australian:

Mr Rudd spoke of the importance of leadership and presented awards to eight of the 10 winners, selected from 100 outstanding young Australians as part of The Weekend Australian Magazine’s Next 100: Emerging Leaders project .

Read the full article.

Prof Monro (pictured below) is the director of the CoEP and the soon-to-be-launched Institute of Photonics and Advanced sensing. Watch for extended interviews of the winners in this weekend’s Australian magazine.

Prof Tanya Monro (Picture courtesy: Kelly Barnes )