Frequency-agile integrated photonic light sources across the visible and near-infrared spectrum

Introduction

Lasers are ubiquitous in science and technology, with applications ranging from optical communications and quantum technologies to metrology and sensing, as well as life sciences and medical diagnostics. However, most commercially used lasers are still based on legacy optical schemes.

Limitations of Current Lasers

These devices are either bulky and expensive, limiting product development, or lack the ability to quickly sweep or precisely control the laser wavelength, which is key to many applications.

Advances in Photonic Integration

At the same time, the advent of advanced photonic integration platforms such as silicon photonics has opened new perspectives, realized only for exascale data centers in telecommunication wavelengths around 1310 and 1550 nm.

Project Overview

AgiLight aims at establishing a new class of integrated lasers that can address the entire wavelength range from the blue (400 nm) to the infrared (2.7 µm). These devices rely on a hybrid integration platform that combines:

• Ultra-low-loss silicon nitride photonic circuits
• Advanced tuning actuators
• III-V gain elements

This approach exploits highly scalable assembly concepts based on 3D printing.

Device Capabilities

The devices will offer:

1. High output powers (> 100 mW)
2. Hz-level laser linewidths
3. Unprecedented frequency agility with nanosecond response times
4. Wideband tunability

Collaborative Efforts

Comprising leading European research groups, high-tech start-ups, and a major industrial player, AgiLight will translate ground-breaking research to rapid technology uptake. The project aims to tailor laser systems for:

• Atomic and molecular physics and optics
• Distance ranging
• Sensing using the expertise of end-users

Research and Development Focus

The project covers the theoretical and nanofabrication foundations of the envisaged light sources, as well as their implementation and functional demonstration in highly relevant research applications throughout the visible and near-infrared spectrum.

Future Impact

AgiLight will lay the foundation for an all-European value chain of a novel class of light sources, covering the III-V and low-loss photonic integrated circuits (PICs).