RENATA - Research project

Optical fiber amplifiers play a key role in future free space optical communications. Their performances are governed by intrinsic specificities related to their modes of generation/propagation of intense optical powers in waveguides. Their silica host matrix is doped with Rare Earth luminophores ions, such as Erbium, known for their strong optical activity around 1.5 µm, wavelength chosen for communications.

The MOPERE team of Hubert Curien Laboratory has acquired a long and solid experience in the study and development of this type of component, through several collaborations (CNES) and especially within the framework of the joint laboratory (LabH6) with iXblue (Exail Tech).

The implementation of these devices in radiation environments as space is extremely critical: the interaction radiation-matter drastically degrades the optical responses of these components via the creation of defects, leading to a strong reduction of the amplifier gains.

The objectives of Alberto Facchini's PhD work (in cotutelle with the University of Bari) are to identify the centers at the origin of the modifications induced under irradiation, to propose robust breakthrough solutions for hardening in radiation environments, to develop predictive simulation codes (multiphysics and multiscale) of these component responses.