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PHOCAL

The PhoCaL team’s research deals with control of optical propagation in complex structures, generally speaking. More particularly, we study and control the coherence in media and complex systems such as multimode waveguides, arrays of fibers, coupled lasers, etc. with the additional impacts of various nonlinearity and gain. In this context, our activities are multi-disciplinary in connection with nonlinear optics, imaging and lasers.

The team is interested in interaction of light with nonlinear media, for instance optical fibers and crystals, in frequency conversion and innovative methods for astronomical imaging, in laser emission control and shaping.

Our activity is related to three main research directions:

  • Coherence and control of nonlinear interactions

    This research activity, with a strong experimental nature, is focused on the study of nonlinear propagation in waveguides and crystals exhibiting second and third order nonlinearities. Our goal is to control the spatial and temporal coherence of the waves exchanging energy via nonlinear properties of materials.
  • New generation of astronomical instruments using coherent synthesis

    Since more than ten years, we are involved in the design of astronomical instruments for high angular resolution imaging. The devices we investigate are based on stellar interferometry, are using optical fibers and other guided wave components, and involve frequency conversion from the mid-infrared region down to the NIR or visible.
  • Laser systems and synthesis of coherent radiations

    This activity deals with the control of coherence properties of the light delivered by complex laser systems such as coupled laser arrays, amplifier arrays, multimode amplifying fibers, in view of the synthesis of radiations with shaped temporal and spatial characteristics.