HYPHa

„Hybrid sensor platforms for integrated photonic systems based on ceramic and polymer materials”

“Project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund”

The project is implemented within the TEAM-NET program of the Foundation for Polish Science
under the Intelligent Development Operational Programme 2014-2020

(ACRONYM: HYPHa)

Priority IV: Increasing scientific and research potential

Action 4.4. Increasing the human resource potential of the R&D sector

Project value: 13 208 000.00 PLN
Project value – PORT: 3 499 250.00 PLN

Co-financing value: 13 208 000.00 PLN

Co-financing value – PORT: 3 499 250.00 PLN

Project implementation period: 01/10/2019 – 30/09/2023

Project leader: Dr. Sc. Eng. Alicja Bachmatiuk

The consortium implementing the project:

1. Łukasiewicz Research Network – PORT Polish Center for Technology Development – Leader of the consortium
2. Wroclaw University of Science and Technology
3. Silesian University of Technology
4. Warsaw University of Technology

The aim of the project is to create a research network consisting of centers specializing in integrated optics.  The newly created group of specialists will be based on the experience, cooperation and commitment of research groups. In the project, we propose to create a mechanism for integrating competences and creating a universal material platform based on newly analyzed hybrid materials.

The basis of these materials will be silica compounds with the addition of e.g. TiO₂, SnO₂, used as structural matrices, polymer coatings with additives (active or protective layers), organic dyes and active two-dimensional materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides, graphene hybrids and boron nitride. All of these materials have demonstrated unique structural, optical and electrical properties in other studies. The project will cover the fabrication and characterization of materials, technology, design and manufacture of passive and active components.

Service created as part of the project:

Teams

Łukasiewicz – PORT

Research topics conducted in the Advanced Materials Synthesis Team in Łukasiewicz – PORT are related to the design and synthesis of inorganic compounds (phosphors, metallic or oxide nanoparticles) and organic compounds with designed physico-chemical properties, including luminescent, thermochromic, thermal, mechanical as well as antibacterial, electrical or sensing ones. The group is working on hybrid systems modified and/or doped with dyes and nanoparticles for applications in photonics and in order to obtain laser action. Biodegradable polymer and composite materials with functional properties are also developed. An example can be intelligent systems for transporting active substances for use in medicine and cosmetology. Moreover, the research topics are related to solid state chemistry and processes occurring on the solid and gaseous/liquid phase interfaces.  They also include the research on the phenomena of adsorption and catalysis using porous materials, mainly layered minerals and miscible layered hydroxides, as well as  the modification of these materials in order to effectively eliminate harmful substances from the air and water. In addition, research is being carried out on the modification of various materials by a focused electron beam, in order to obtain appropriate physico-chemical properties for potential application in photonics and electronics. These studies in particular, involve micro- and nano-structuring of ionic liquids and their mixtures with other compounds (e.g. metal salts).

Wrocław University Science and Technology

The research Team from the Department of Optics and Photonics at the Wrocław University Science and Technology is part of the Fiber Optics Group. The group has the knowledge and the necessary equipment to perform the tests on conventional and specialized optical fibers (including photonic optical fibers) and various optical fiber components as well as the fiber devices. These include phase and group mode birefringence measurements in a wide spectral range, measurements of polarization mode dispersion and chromatic dispersion in a wide spectral range, measurements of transmission, bending and polarization-dependent losses. In addition, measurements of the sensitivity of single-mode and birefringent fibers (interferometric and polarimetric sensitivity) to various physical parameters, such as temperature, hydrostatic pressure, axial and transverse loads, and measurements of the detection characteristics of Bragg gratings embedded in special fibers are performed. The group is also able to produce and characterize long-term gratings of various types of optical fibers. An important part of the group’s scope of competences includes simulations and modeling of photonic elements using advanced numerical tools. They include modeling of linear and non-linear propagation and sensing characteristics in conventional and special optical fibers, fiber Bragg gratings, long-term grids and other optical and integrated components.

Silesian University of Technology

Photonics and Nanotechnology Group from Silesian University of Technology is a multi-generational, interdisciplinary team of scientist which consists of physicists, chemists, mechatronic and biotechnologist. The research activity of the Team carried out under the HYPHa project concerns the design, manufacture and characterization of integrated optics structures, mainly for use in planar optical waveguide sensors. The foundations for this research topic are developed by the Team SiO_x:TiO_y composite waveguide layers, fabricated via sol-gel method and the dip-coating technique, characterized by a high refractive index (1.8) and very low optical losses. The design of integrated optics structures is supported by theoretical analysis carried out using software, both commercial and proprietary programs of the Team members. The produced structures are characterized mainly by optical methods, with the use of commercial devices, also proprietary measuring systems. Fabricated structures are mainly characterized using optical methods and research equipment, both commercial and developed  by the Team members. The research topics of the Team focus primarily on technological issues, the purpose of which is to further develop methods for the production of composite SiO_x:TiO_y waveguide layers, and in particular to develop low-loss, single-mode passive and active waveguide layers with a designed refractive index in the range from ~ 1.5 to over 1.9. By two or three layering on one substrate, waveguide layers with thicknesses suitable for applications in the NIR spectral range (1550 nm) are produced. The unsatisfactory surface quality of commercially available glass substrates has become a motivation to undertake research on developing a manner of smoothing them also using the sol-gel method and the dip-coating technique. An important research topic initiated and implemented within the HYPHa project are active layers, which are produced by doping the developed waveguide layers with ions of selected lanthanides. At the same time, technological research is being carried out on the development of silica layers and TiO₂ titanium dioxide layers.

Warsaw University of Technology

The main research topic of the Team from the Optoelectronics Division in Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics at the Warsaw University of Technology is related to the design and characterization of elements and systems of integrated optics for a wide range of applications, including structures and sensory systems or optical telecommunications systems using WDM techniques. The research topics of the Team focus on the design of both individual components (such as single sensory elements) and entire integrated photonic systems, as well as experimental validation of the operation of the designed structures. The team also has extensive experience in the integration of photonics integrated optical systems. The team has both software for the design and simulation of photonic integrated circuits, as well as measurement sets allowing for full electro-optical characterization of integrated photonic structures in the spectral range from visible light (VIS) to near infrared (NIR). Within the HYPHa project, the Team is involved in the design and performance testing of optical components and systems based on the SiO_x:TiO_y waveguide layer technology under development, including both passive components such as integrated optical filters and active components such as optically pumped amplification elements. The Team will also lead the work towards the construction of demonstrators for a sensing system and an integrated optical signal source based on the technology being developed in the HYPHa project.