Low power, Low-loss optomechanical switches

Photons are the electrons of the 21^st century and the field of integrated photonics is influencing our life more and more. For instance, cloud based computing was only enabled by utilizing thumbnail photonic chips for rack to rack communications. And like electronics need transistors so do photonic circuits require continuously evolving light-switches. Meaning light switches need to become smaller, faster and more energy efficient. Currently, thermo-optical switches are the backbone of integrated circuits, however, they are as inefficient as old-school light bulbs and rely on continuously burning heat to switch light.

In this project, we will disrupt photonic circuit design by introducing novel opto-electro-mechanical switches and bring them to maturity so they will help to enable high performance computing at an sustainable energy consumption. Exploring this research will teach many aspects a 21^st century researcher/engineer will need: ranging from the theoretical background in photonics to nanotechnological co-integration and co-design of electronic and photonic devices.