Photonics: Devices, Systems, and Networks
The Photonics: Devices, Systems and Networks area brings together four research groups that collaboratively cover the full spectrum of photonic technologies: from the conception, modelling and characterization of photonic and optoelectronic devices to the development of advanced optical systems, high-capacity communication infrastructures, distributed sensing platforms, and emerging quantum-network technologies. The area brings together multidisciplinary expertise in photonics, optoelectronics, applied physics, numerical modelling, telecommunications, digital signal processing and artificial intelligence, with a strong focus on experimental research, system validation and technology transfer.
Research activities cover the design and development of innovative photonic devices and integrated circuits, including semiconductor lasers, optical modulators, photodetectors, LEDs, silicon photonics components and photovoltaic devices. These activities are supported by multiscale and multiphysics simulation tools, enabling a continuous interaction between theoretical modelling, device optimization and experimental characterization. Advanced laser sources, optical beam-control systems and spectroscopic techniques are also investigated for applications in industrial processing, biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, aerospace systems and structural health assessment.
A major focus of the area is the development of next-generation optical communication systems and networks. This includes the modelling of optical propagation, the design of ultra-wideband coherent transmission systems, the mitigation of fiber nonlinearities, and the implementation of advanced digital-signal-processing techniques. Research also addresses optical performance monitoring, high-speed data-center interconnects, next-generation access and transport networks, hollow-core fiber transmission, and the use of digital-twin methodologies for the design, optimization and control of photonic systems and infrastructures.
The area also investigates the convergence of optical communication and sensing. Fiber-based sensing, photonic integrated sensing and communication, and the exploitation of existing optical networks as distributed sensing platforms are explored for applications such as infrastructure monitoring, environmental surveillance and seismic detection. Artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in these activities, supporting signal interpretation, anomaly detection, predictive modelling, autonomous network operation and the extraction of sensing information from optical-network data.
In parallel, the area contributes to the development of open, programmable and physical-layer-aware optical networks. Research includes accurate WDM transport modelling, network planning and optimization, open control frameworks, autonomous network management, and the realization of optical-network digital twins that combine physical accuracy with continuous monitoring of real infrastructures. Emerging quantum-network architectures are also studied, with attention to quantum-classical coexistence, entanglement distribution and the integration of quantum technologies with future communication infrastructures.
Most experimental activities are supported by the facilities of the Interdepartmental Center for Applied Photonics, Photonext, at Politecnico di Torino, where advanced optical, photonic and RF instrumentation enables the validation of devices, systems and network concepts across different levels of technological maturity.
Research activities cover the design and development of innovative photonic devices and integrated circuits, including semiconductor lasers, optical modulators, photodetectors, LEDs, silicon photonics components and photovoltaic devices. These activities are supported by multiscale and multiphysics simulation tools, enabling a continuous interaction between theoretical modelling, device optimization and experimental characterization. Advanced laser sources, optical beam-control systems and spectroscopic techniques are also investigated for applications in industrial processing, biomedical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, aerospace systems and structural health assessment.
A major focus of the area is the development of next-generation optical communication systems and networks. This includes the modelling of optical propagation, the design of ultra-wideband coherent transmission systems, the mitigation of fiber nonlinearities, and the implementation of advanced digital-signal-processing techniques. Research also addresses optical performance monitoring, high-speed data-center interconnects, next-generation access and transport networks, hollow-core fiber transmission, and the use of digital-twin methodologies for the design, optimization and control of photonic systems and infrastructures.
The area also investigates the convergence of optical communication and sensing. Fiber-based sensing, photonic integrated sensing and communication, and the exploitation of existing optical networks as distributed sensing platforms are explored for applications such as infrastructure monitoring, environmental surveillance and seismic detection. Artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in these activities, supporting signal interpretation, anomaly detection, predictive modelling, autonomous network operation and the extraction of sensing information from optical-network data.
In parallel, the area contributes to the development of open, programmable and physical-layer-aware optical networks. Research includes accurate WDM transport modelling, network planning and optimization, open control frameworks, autonomous network management, and the realization of optical-network digital twins that combine physical accuracy with continuous monitoring of real infrastructures. Emerging quantum-network architectures are also studied, with attention to quantum-classical coexistence, entanglement distribution and the integration of quantum technologies with future communication infrastructures.
Most experimental activities are supported by the facilities of the Interdepartmental Center for Applied Photonics, Photonext, at Politecnico di Torino, where advanced optical, photonic and RF instrumentation enables the validation of devices, systems and network concepts across different levels of technological maturity.