Digital image transmission and detection is based on massive arrays of individual pixels. Each pixel forms a single coloured illuminated spot that then propagates and diffracts, spreading out and suffering scattering and chromatic dispersion. Our project aims at demonstrating an image transmission technology for displays, illuminators, and projectors based on non-diffracting waves. Our focus is on transmission panels, where the transmitting pixel elements generate Bessel-like beams for laser and LED light. In contrast to present technology, each Bessel Pixel intrinsically suffers no diffraction, undergoes reduced scattering in turbid media, such as turbulent air or biological tissue, and manifests self-healing, i.e., can continue propagation even after encountering an obstacle. Key to the project is the shift from liquid-crystal technology (LCD) and micromechanical mirror technology to a solid-state electro-holographic technology.
The REGIO proposal aims at shifting the basic paradigm of cutting edge nanophotonics based on single mode waveguides and thermo-optic reconfigurability (N. C. Harris et al., Nat. Photon. 11, 447 (2017)).
Basic innovations are:
-operation through multimode graded-index waveguides;
-use of an electric-field induced parabolic waveguide structure induced by the combination of resistive electrodes and quadratic electro-optic response;
-achievement of electro-optic as opposed to thermo-optic reconfigurability, with a passage from KHz operation to MHz operation and reconfiguration;
-opening to a pioneering multimode or even incoherent light integrated photonics.
The development of optical computing components allowing microphotonic and nanophotonic integration appears as a key ingredient to next generation computing machinery. This in view both of hybrid opto-electronic circuitry, both to accommodate for new programming visions, such as those based on coherent computing, reversible computing, and even quantum photonic computing.
The objective of REGIO breach through modern research and development strategies by adding to the picture something that has simply never been done before: a multimodal integrated photonics. The innovation potential here is wide-ranging, as not only can it allow multimodal computation, that is the ability to operate in parallel on multi photonic streams, but also operate on multi-level encoding of single photonic streams. Furthermore, the use of graded index profiles, specifically parabolic profiles, suggests the possibility of using white light, that is, a photonics that does not require lasers and can even make use of natural sunlight.