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Optical Communications and Optical Fibers
Represented characteristically by the Internet, communications technology is evolving, and there is a gradual shift from electrical communications to optical communications, with the advent in technology making higher communication speeds and a larger data-carrying capacity possible. Optical fibers form the backbone of that communication. For example, other than the optical fibers that serve as the transmission lines, the fiber amplifiers called EDFAs(Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers) that enable wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) systems to function effectively also play an important role. The development of this type of functionality is crucial for the future growth of optical communication technologies.
Photonic Networks
Current optical communication systems using WDM technology have achieved a large data-carrying capacity. However, this is a Point-to-Point system, and in general, network functions such as routing and switching are still done electrically. This electrical part forms the bottleneck that limits the speed at which optical communication can be performed.
If network functions can also be performed optically, communication with a large data-carrying capacity can be performed rapidly as well. We term this kind of communication system a photonic network.
Aims of this laboratory
At Yamashita Laboratory, we are engaged in the research and development of optical devices that can be used in optical networks. In addition to that, we are also actively involved in the development of optical devices that utilize optical fibers and optical waveguides.
Currently, the research being conducted in our laboratory are as follows:
