Research Director: Kaoru MINOSHIMA
(Professor, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications)
Research Term: Oct 2013 - Mar 2018
Special Extension Period: Apr 2019 - Mar 2020
Grant Number: JPMJER1304

In this project, we aimed to thoroughly utilize the excellent characteristics of "optical frequency combs" in broad areas of science and technology, thereby benefitting society as well. Therefore, as well as the advancement of the "optical frequency comb" technology itself, we performed the research and development in the aspect of two phases, "the development of Intelligent Optical Synthesizer" and "the exploration of innovative applications," to cultivate its potential applications in those areas of science and technology that had no connection with "optical frequency combs" so far. As the optical comb is an extreme light source, it is necessary to develop the innovative technologies to fully utilize the characteristics of optical frequency combs. Therefore, we developed technologies to fully utilize the ultra-high precision, ultra-broad dynamic range and ultra-high controllability at the stage of "the development of Intelligent Optical Synthesizer." At the same time, regarding "the exploration of innovative applications," we cultivated potential applications utilizing the attractive features of optical frequency combs and developed many fundamental technologies regarding these applications in various fields to demonstrate that they are actually made possible. From the point of view of applications, we divided the research area into three categories, namely "frequency control," "mode control," and "time and coherent multimode control" and made comprehensive technological developments. Each image on two layers in the below figure indicates the substantial developments regarding the research themes. In this manner, we executed comprehensive research and development activities one by one in a broad potential research area, and constructed the "Intelligent Optical Synthesizer" as a new science and technology platform, indicating the emergence of a new research area with numerous potential applications.