Research group · QPS
Nonlinear Optics Lab
Probing and harnessing ultrafast light-matter interactions to build next-generation photonic sources and all-optical signal processors.
Overview
The Nonlinear Optics Lab studies the ways intense or specially engineered light fields interact with optical media to produce effects that go far beyond linear superposition. The group's core focus spans three tightly coupled areas: ultrafast pulse dynamics in fibers and waveguides, parametric frequency conversion in engineered nonlinear crystals, and the generation of non-classical light states for quantum photonic applications.
Working across the boundary of classical and quantum optics, the group builds compact integrated platforms capable of producing entangled photon pairs, squeezed vacuum states, and frequency-comb light directly on chip. These platforms are used internally and offered to external collaborators through Veyra's Spectroscopy & Analytical Core and Scientific Services programme.
The lab maintains a dedicated femtosecond laser facility in Calder Mesa Building B, and operates one of the Veyra campus's highest-power continuous-wave pump sources. It collaborates closely with the Integrated Photonics Lab on chip-scale devices, and with the Quantum Sensing Group on the application of quantum light to precision measurement.
Research themes
- Supercontinuum generation and optical frequency comb formation in dispersion-engineered waveguides
- Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) and four-wave mixing (FWM) on integrated photonic platforms
- Squeezed and entangled photon-pair generation for quantum key distribution and sensing
- Soliton dynamics and modulation instability in photonic crystal fibres
- Ultrafast spectroscopy of condensed-matter systems using pump-probe techniques
- All-optical switching and signal routing via cross-phase modulation
Current projects
Active research programmes, 2024–2027
Project · VX-NOL-01
ChipComb: On-Chip Optical Frequency Combs
Designing lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) microring resonators that generate octave-spanning frequency combs from milliwatt-level pump power. Target applications: optical clocks, dense-WDM transceivers, and dual-comb spectroscopy.
Funding: VIAS Core Research Fund · 480,000 cr
Project · VX-NOL-02
PhotonPair: Integrated Entangled-Photon Sources
Fabricating SPDC sources in periodically-poled KTP waveguides bonded to silicon nitride routing layers. The project targets pair-generation rates above 108 pairs/s/mW with heralding efficiencies exceeding 85%.
Funding: External partnership grant · 620,000 cr
Project · VX-NOL-03
UltraSwitch: All-Optical Routing at Terabit Rates
Exploring cross-phase modulation in chalcogenide-glass waveguides to achieve sub-picosecond switching times. Aims to demonstrate packet-level routing without opto-electronic conversion at 1.6 Tbit/s aggregate.
Funding: Industry contract research · 310,000 cr
Project · VX-NOL-04
SolitonMap: Dissipative Soliton Dynamics in PCF
Mapping the full bifurcation landscape of dissipative soliton families in photonic crystal fibres using a combination of numerical simulation (split-step Fourier) and high-resolution optical cross-correlation experiments.
Funding: VIAS Graduate School Fellowship · 95,000 cr
Selected publications
- Solano P., Dreher K., Vasović T. "Octave-spanning comb generation in LNOI microring resonators at 780 nm pump." Veyra Photonics Letters 12(3), 2024. DOI: 10.veyra/VX-4401
- Solano P., Cheng R. "Heralded single-photon sources via asymmetric SPDC in periodically poled waveguides." Journal of Quantum Photonics 8, 2023. DOI: 10.veyra/VX-4218
- Vasović T., Solano P. "Cross-phase modulation switching in As₂S₃ rib waveguides." Optics Express (VIAS Edition) 31(19), 2023. DOI: 10.veyra/VX-4057
- Dreher K., Solano P., Lindner M. "Modulation instability threshold in nano-structured PCF: theory and experiment." Veyra Journal of Nonlinear Optics 5, 2022. DOI: 10.veyra/VX-3891
- Solano P. "Squeezed vacuum states in integrated microring resonators: a path to on-chip quantum sensing." VIAS Quantum Systems Review 2(1), 2022. DOI: 10.veyra/VX-3744
- Cheng R., Solano P. "Four-wave mixing efficiency maps in silicon nitride: impact of waveguide geometry." Veyra Applied Optics 61(14), 2021. DOI: 10.veyra/VX-3512
People
Group lead: Dr. Petra Solano · View all Veyra people
Postdoctoral researchers: Dr. Tamara Vasović, Dr. Kai Dreher, Dr. Ruoxi Cheng.
PhD students: Mireille Fontaine, Oduya Okeke, Lars Sindbjerg, Caitríona Walsh, Felix Brunner, Soraya Mansouri.
Research staff: Lukas Veit (optics technician), Nadia Ekwueme (cleanroom engineer).