Current research activities are in two areas of photonics:
1. Optical Communications with dispersion-managed solitons
2. Novel fluorescence based bio-sensors.
Achievements:
1. Professor Carter has demonstrated record error-free propagation of dispersion-managed solitons in excess of 24,000
km at a data rate of 10 Gbit/sec and 20,000 km at 20 Gbit/sec. To view the measured "eye" diagrams for the 10 Gbit/sec
record transmission go the following link: Record.
This effort utilizes a recirculating fiber optic loop with optical amplifiers, see
Loop. These experiments used a
complete set of characterization equipment including a 12.5 Gbit/sec error rate tester and a synchroscan streak camera.
To see a picture of the facility go to: Facility
. The measured pulses in the loop for the record data are shown in
Pulse. This research includes
the first determination of timing jitter for dispersion-managed soltions. To view the timing jitter data go the
following link Jitter.
Key Dispersion-Managed Soliton Publications: Solpub.
2. Professor Carter, Professor Govind Rao, and Dr. Jeffrey Sipior have demonstrated
robust fluorescence based bio-sensors using the technique of phase fluorometry. One of our key advances was the
discovery that low-cost, large bandwidth, single quantum-well light emitting diodes (LED's) in the blue, green, and
uv portions of the spectrum make nearly ideal modulatable sources for a wide range of these sensors. Key Bio-Sensor
Publications: Biopub.
For comments or information about research opportunities in Professor Carter's
Laboratories: