MEFISTA, Multi-scale fibre-based optical frequency combs: science, technology and applications, is a doctoral-level training network (ETN) funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
The ETN MEFISTA programme offers 6 Individual Research Projects
Project description
The key photonic technology that enables a cluster of applications and so is a driving force for an expanding photonics market in the context of addressing the global challenges is an optical frequency comb (OFC) technology based on mode-locked femtosecond lasers (MLFLs). To respond to the huge demand for qualified experts on OFC technologies, MEFISTA will deliver research and training collaborations that will help ESRs to acquire unique knowledge and research skills on OFC technology from the theory to implementation: development of novel mode-locking techniques and speciality fibres and waveguides for MLFLs, mid-infrared (mid-IR) tunable dual combs sources for molecular fingerprinting, design and characterisation of dual-comb MLFLs, and MLFLs manufacturing. A special focus will be the industrial applications related to development and trial tests of MLFLs in the context of autonomous driving (car-object distance ranging, object recognition, moving objects speed tracing: Doppler LIDAR). The requirement of a new generation of LIDAR with object recognition ability is driven by the demand of high safety standards that autonomous driving vehicles will have to satisfy to guarantee an efficient service to society, by minimising the risk of accidents, especially in harsh and unpredictable environments.
The Training Programme (TP) will be implemented through the unique combination of the “hands-on” research training, non-academic placements and advanced inter/multidisciplinary/ inter-sectoral training on nonlinear science, laser physics, fibre optics, and autonomous driving technologies and transferable skills including Research Integrity, Gender Dimension in Research, and Open Science. The TP will also be supported by synergistic merging the expertise of 4 academic, two non-academic beneficiaries and 1 academic partner from 5 countries.
More information about the project can be found here.