Exciting news from our Group of Integrated Photonics.
👉 Interested in joining us? Explore our students projects, our courses and feel free to reach out.
🗓️ June 23 – Can we map children’s airways in 3D without radiation?
This idea inspired a recent R&D project by Johan Rubak and Samuel Jessen in our group at Aarhus University, carried out in collaboration with Aarhus University Hospital. The project explored whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) could become a practical, non-invasive alternative to traditional imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT) scans.
The work focused on three main objectives:
Extending imaging depth: Testing how far into tissue OCT could reliably measure in airway models.
Integrating position tracking: Developing ways to record the position of the imaging probe to reconstruct 3D geometry without relying on pre-existing CT scans.
Validating reconstruction methods: Building custom software to align and correct cross-sectional images into consistent, anatomically relevant 3D models.
The setup combined lab-grade lasers, a scanning probe adapted from cardiology applications, and magnetic position tracking. Along the way, the students conducted experiments to measure system limitations such as coherence length and sampling speed, and explored options to improve depth range and spatial resolution.
While the system is not yet ready for clinical use, it shows that OCT, combined with modern tracking techniques, can capture airway shape and fine structural detail, such as cartilage rings that often contribute to obstruction. The project also mapped out the practical constraints and trade-offs that will need to be addressed to move from feasibility studies to patient-ready tools.
This work is a good example of how photonics can be applied to real healthcare challenges, and what can be achieved in a focused research project.
đź“„ Click here to read the report
🎓 Interested in bachelor or master projects in our group? Get in touch
Jeppe Ivarsen successfully defended his bachelor thesis titled "Characterization of Monolithic Integrated InP Chips with DBR Lasers." The project explored the optical and spectral performance of dual-cavity DBR laser chips, with a strong focus on hands-on experimentation using photonic integrated circuits.
Jeppe carried out a systematic investigation of optical power, waveguide loss, and laser linewidth. Through this work, he gained valuable experience with coupling techniques, spectral measurements, and frequency noise diagnostics. His results provided critical insight into the practical limitations of the tested chip batch.
The project was co-supervised by Jeppe Surrow and Nick Volet and evaluated by Jan Hald from the Danish National Metrology Institute (DFM). Congratulations to Jeppe on the successful completion of this challenging and rewarding project.
📄 Click here to read Jeppe’s thesis
🎓 Interested in bachelor or master projects in our group? Get in touch
🗓️ June 19 – Master’s thesis defense: SPDC in InGaP waveguides
Atiqa Qarar successfully defended her Master’s thesis: "Characterization of InGaP waveguides for efficient spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) measurements."
The project explored the potential of InGaP as a platform for integrated photon-pair sources in the telecom band, combining device design, waveguide loss characterization, and free-space filtering for quantum optical experiments. Atiqa also developed and optimized a fiber-to-chip coupling setup and presented early results on SPDC signal generation.
The thesis was co-supervised by Lucas Ahler and Nick Volet, and evaluated by Leonardo Midolo from the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), Copenhagen University (KU). The defense included insightful discussion on SPDC efficiency, photon statistics, and the future potential of InGaP-based quantum light sources.
🎉 Congratulations to Atiqa on a well-executed project and defense!
📄 Click here to read Atiqa’s thesis
🎓 Interested in bachelor or master projects in our group? Get in touch
Nick was recently interviewed by Optica’s magazine where he shared insights into our group’s work on chip-integrated lasers and how interdisciplinary collaboration has shaped our research.
The article highlights recent progress in developing compact UV sources for diagnostics, sensing, and communication, and reflects on the value of combining perspectives across science, engineering, and design.
The study demonstrates light conversion across 930 nm, 1550 nm, and 2325 nm, all integrated on a silicon-compatible chip. It was led by Lucas Ahler and Emil Ulsig, with critical contributions from colleagues across 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇺🇸 the US, 🇨🇦 Canada, and 🇧🇪 Belgium.
đź“„ Click here to access this paper
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TBC, and entertainemnt by the Aarhus Physics Show.
Posters from our MSc students Atiqa Qarar, Achmet Tachsin, Jacob Loft, Johan Rubak, and Samuel Jessen
Pedro Godoy, Emil Ulsig, Jacob Loft, Johan Rubak, Samuel Jessen, Jeppe Ivarsen, Atiqa Qarar, Jeppe Surrow, Lucas Ahler, Jesper Hinke Kirkegaard, Achmet Tachsin, and Nick
Iterio Degli-Eredi, Mircea Balauroiu, Andreas Hänsel, Niklas Arent, Nick, Fabian Ruf, Elżbieta Sobolewska, Hanna Becker, Daniel Nascimento Duplat, Pengli An, Peter Tønning, Mónica Far Brusatori, Lars Nielsen
