They develop a pioneering device to slow down light with unique performance in the world
“Some research has achieved 360° phase shifts, but only within a very small range, for example, 1 Gigahertz. Our phase shifter operates at the highest frequency range ever published using semiconductor materials. Phase shifters are used in many applications, but especially in antenna shapers and microwave circuits. It's a very basic function, but one that is essential for signal transmission; it's like salt in food,” explain José Capmany and Salvador Sales, researchers at ITEAM.
The applications of the new phase shifter, thanks to its ability to operate up to 50 GHz, are numerous: from ground-based satellites and radio astronomy to microwave radio link systems, radar antennas, Ultra Wide Band communications, and RF applications for automobiles. In each of these applications, this new device would improve data transmission flow, preventing saturation and ensuring optimal performance of the entire communication system; and all this with a single device capable of operating on any band instead of requiring several, one for each band, as is currently the case.
This new device also allows antennas to redirect their beams without altering their physical orientation. “Often, for example in satellites or radars, we have arrays of antennas. If we want to modify the pointing direction—an essential function in telecommunications applications—this is achieved by modifying the phase shift of the microwave signals that travel over the light.” By doing this on semiconductor devices, it will be possible to receive or send signals by quickly scanning many different geographical areas. This results in greater flexibility and speed, while also using energy more efficiently, leading to more sustainable telecommunications systems and networks.
Integrated
Furthermore, among the advantages of the phase shifter developed by ITEAM, the researchers have managed to reduce the number of components, resulting in a lower need for space in base stations, central stations or on-board equipment such as a satellite.
“It is an integrated device, much more stable, small in size, and which also allows external control via electronic signal, making it possible to change the phase shift very quickly. And, most importantly, it is capable of operating in environments up to 50 GHz and we will be able to do so at 100 GHz, which covers all existing and future communication bands,” Salvador Sales and José Capmany point out.
The development of this phase shifter is part of the European project GOSPEL, “Governing the Speed of Light,” funded by the Seventh European Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7), within the scope of European Projects for Future and Emerging Technologies.
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References
• “Wideband 360° microwave photonic phase shifter based on slow light in semiconductor optical amplifiers.” Weiqi Xue, Salvador Sales, José Capmany, and Jesper Mørk. Optics Express, Vol. 18, Issue 6, pp. 6156–6163 (2010)
• “Controlling the Velocity of Light Pulses.” Robert W. Boyd and Daniel J. Gauthier. Science 326, 1074 (2009)
Source: UPV
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