In our daily lives, light is used everywhere, from illuminating our world, to fiber optic communications, to medical imaging. However, you know what?Professor Kerry Vahala of the California Institute of Technology and a research team at UC Santa Barbara are developing a device called "new microcomb" that will change the way we use light.
The new microcomb is an optical device that works similarly to a comb and can break down light into many different frequencies, just as a comb can divide hair into many different parts. What's special about this new microcomb is that it is made of a special material called ultra-low-loss silicon nitride (ULL silicon nitride). The material is so pure that it can be deposited in the form of thin films, which allows the new microcomb to work at very low power.
However, there is a problem with ULL silicon nitride, which is that it does not produce short light pulses correctly. To solve this problem, Professor Vahala and his research team designed this novel microcomb that allows it to overcome this problem with ULL silicon nitride by generating pulses in pairs.
The new microcombs are used in a wide range of applications, including digital communications, precision time measurement, spectroscopy and even astronomy. Because it can convert the input laser light frequency into a set of multiple different frequencies at equal spacing, it has great potential in these areas.
For example, in digital communications, new microcombs can convert the input laser light frequency into a set of multiple different frequencies at equal spacing, forming a series of pulses that can be as short as 100 femtoseconds in length (one femtosecond is one trillionth of a second). This will greatly improve the efficiency and reliability of communication.
In precision time measurements, new microcombs can be used to calibrate instruments that measure light-year distances to search for exoplanets. This will open up new possibilities for our exploration of the universe.
In spectroscopy, new microcombs can be used to analyze the air we exhale to monitor and track our health. This will provide us with new tools for health management.
The development of a new type of microcomb is an important breakthrough that will bring many changes to our lives. From improving communication efficiency, to accurately measuring time, to monitoring health, the new microcombs have a wide range of applications. Although this technology is still developing, we can expect that with further research by scientists on this new type of microcomb, we will be able to better harness the power of light and bring more convenience and possibilities to our lives. Let's look forward to the future of light together!
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a globally renowned private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. With more than 50 research centers and institutes, Caltech also manages the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Known for its strength in science and engineering, the school is one of the few technical colleges in the United States dedicated primarily to the teaching of pure science and applied sciences. The research they are conducting is expanding our understanding of the universe, changing paradigms, breaking new ground, and inventing the technologies of the future. They have made transformative breakthroughs in areas such as quantum science and engineering, bioinformatics, the nature of life, human behavior and economics, energy and sustainability, and more.