High Speed Polarization Independent Signal Processing using Nonlinear Optics

SPEAKER: Professor Thomas E. Murphy, University of MarylandAbstract: In present-day optical networks, signal processing is performed with high-speed electrical circuits. Although electronic circuits perform well at speeds up to 40 Gb/s, in future networks the data rate could exceed the speed of conventional electronics. One solution to this problem is to replace costly high-speed electronic functions with ultrafast nonlinear optical processes.While many nonlinear effects have been exploited for optical signal processing, most have the disadvantage that they depend on the incoming polarization state, which cannot be easily controlled in fiber-optic networks. This polarization dependence is an obstacle that stands in the way of replacing electronic signal processing with optical rocessing. In this talk, I will discuss ongoing research at the University of Maryland to develop polarization insensitive nonlinear optical processing techniques for use in high-speed networks.Biography: Thomas Murphy studied physics and electrical engineering at Rice University, graduating with joint degrees in 1994. He then joined the NanoStructures Laboratory at MIT, where he pursued research in integrated optics and nanotechnology. He completed his M.S. degree in 1997 and his Ph.D. in 2000, both in Electrical Engineering. In 2000, he joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory as a staff member in the Optical Communications Technology Group where he studied ultrafast optical communications systems. In August 2002, he joined the faculty at the University of Maryland, College Park as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Thomas is a member of the Optical Society of America, the IEEE, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi, and a recent recipient of the NSF CAREER award. His research interests include optical communications, short-pulse phenomena, numerical simulation, optical pulse propagation, nanotechnology, terahertz and microwave photonics, and integrated optics.Host: Alan Willner, willner@usc.edu

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - -108

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Mayumi Thrasher