Nonlinear Optics in Optical Fiber Communications: For Worse and For Better

Optical nonlinearities in various materials pose some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in optical communications. On the one hand, it is critical to minimize deleterious nonlinear effects in order to transmit data undistorted across vast distances. This has been accomplished for present-day optical fiber communication systems, but future systems will always be pushing the limit of operability. On the other hand, nonlinearities (if controlled properly) present us with the ability to rapidly manipulate data in efficient ways for future signal processing functions. Wavelength conversion, simple logic functions, and (de)muxing can be accomplished at very high speed. This seminar will describe these two sides of the same coin as well as the prospects for future innovation.

Speaker: Prof. Alan Willner, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California

Room 232