Self-injected mode locked lasers for frequency comb generation and application to multi-Terabit/s data transmission (Kamel MERGHEM)

Abstract: The enormous growth of internet data traffic imposes new challenges for data centers and metro/access networks requiring the development of new advanced photonics components. Optical frequency combs have emerged as a promising approach towards compact and efficient light sources that provide a multitude of tones for parallel WDM transmission.
In this talk, we start by introducing the concept of optical frequency combs and their wide variety of applications. Monolithic semiconductor passively mode-locked lasers are very attractive components for generating optical frequency combs.
We then focus our talk on semiconductor based mode-locked lasers, especially quantum dot and quantum-dash based lasers with unique characteristics, such as broad gain bandwidth, low threshold current and enhanced temperature stability. To achieve the desired features for coherent communication systems, we have developed different stabilization schemes to improve both coherence and phase correlation between optical comb lines.
We will conclude the seminar by demonstrating WDM coherent transmission with net data rates exceeding terabit/s transmission rates thanks to the implementation of resonant optical feedback based stabilization system.

Biography: Kamel MERGHEM received M.S and PhD from ‘Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille’, in 2000 and 2011, respectively. In 2000, he joined the CNRS Laboratory for Photonics and Nanostructures. He is involved in the research on innovative photonics components for optical fiber telecommunication and data centers applications. He has authored or coauthored more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. From 2017 to 2019, he worked as R&D project manager for 3SP Technologies in the development of new opto-electronic components for optical communication systems and LiDAR applications.
He is currently an Assistant Professor at Telecom SudParis, Institut Polytechnique de Paris. His research interests include optical frequency combs for optical transmission and photonic reservoir computing for optical signal processing.