Research Topics in Optical and Quantum Communications, and the Quantum Internet

• Emerging optical fiber technologies
• Quantum Interconnect and Hybrid Classical/Quantum Systems
• Fiber optic communications: Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (DWDM), Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM)
  
• Optical switches
• Fiber optic sensors
• Optical networks and systems
• Integration of optical and wireless networking
• Optical access networks and fixed-mobile convergence 
• Optical interconnection
• Optical networks to support cloud computing
• High speed optical LANs and gigabit Ethernet
• QoS over optical networks for future networks
• Passive optical networks
• Design, control and management of optical networks
• Reliability and protection in optical networks
• Optical Spatial Division Multiplexed (SDM) Networks 
• Quantum-key secure optical networks and physical layer security issues in 5G transport networks 
• Tera-scale optical networks for beyond 5G application holographic and sensual communications 
• Beyond-5G Passive Optical Networks (PON) 
• Time-sensitive and time-deterministic optical networks  
• Optical network control, management and orchestration including SDN and NFV solutions 
• Multi-layer and –domain optical networks, including network disaggregation and white-boxes 
• Slicing, service chaining, virtualization and multi-tenancy techniques for optical networks 
• Optical and wireless network convergence, including radio-over-fiber access networks 
• Machine Learning and data analytics techniques for optical networks 
• Optical network availability, resilience, survivability, security 
• Evolutions in optical networking: compact, embedded and pluggable
• Filterless architectures for optical core, regional and urban aggregation networks
• Energy efficiency in optical networks
• Emerging architectures for optical routers and switches
• Geometric control theory, stochastic process, optimization, game theory and their applications in large network systems 
• Sensor-actuator networks
• Optical fiber sensors and networks
• Energy-efficient management of network resources
• Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) Optical Transmission Technology
• SDM Devices and Amplifiers
• SDM Devices and Systems
• Circulators, Mode Multiplexers, Dispersion Compensators, Ultrasound and Wavemeters
• Coherent Technologies for Data Centers
• Complexity Optimized Coding and DSP for Optical Communications
• Survivability and Security
• Photonic Integrated QKD (Quantum Key Distribution)
• Optical Signal Processing 
• Fiber- and Waveguide-Based Sensors
• High Speed EMLs and DMLs
• Optical Fiber and Device Modelling
• Machine Learning for System Modeling and Channel Equalization
• Data Center Networking and PON Security
• Innovative QKD Systems
• Optical Computing
• Multi-Core Fiber
• Free Space and Coupling Devices
• RF and THz Signal Generation
• Enabling Technologies for Data Center and HPC
• LIDAR, RADAR and Ranging Systems
• Telemetry and Synchronisation
• Monolithic or 3D Electro-Optical Integration
• Accurate Frequency/Time Distribution and Optical Computing
• OFC Demo Zone
• Multi-Mode Fiber
• High Power and Comb Laser Sources
• High Bandwidth Density Interconnects for Computing
• Visible Light Communications and Positioning
• Multi-X Networks
• Passive Silicon Photonic Devices
• Photonic Switching Devices
• Novel Photonic Devices and Applications
• Nonlinear-Optical Amplifiers and Oscillators
• Data Center Networks and Control
• Beyond 400G Transmission
• Machine Learning and Advanced Digital Signal Processing
• Signal Processing in Next-Generation PON
• Satellite Communications and UV, LWIR Free Space Optical Communications
• THz Optical Communications
• Novel Enabling Devices
• Silicon Photonics Devices and Integrated Circuits
• Doped Fiber Amplifiers
• Advances in Data Center Switching and Interconnects
• Modulation Formats
• Wideband Transmission Systems
• High Data-Rate Direct Detection in Access
• Free Space and Optical Camera Communications
• Advanced Control in Quantum Systems
• Photonic Devices for Novel Applications
• Deployment and Field Trials
• Network Planning and Operation
• Co-Packaged and PIC for Data Center Applications
• AI and Optimization in (Disaggregated) Networks
• Subsea and Long-Haul Transmission 
• Radio-Over-Fiber for 5G and Beyond Systems
• Photonic Integrated Circuits
• New Materials and Technologies
• Network Orchestration
• SDM - For Short Reach and Long-Haul Transmission Systems
• Coexistence and Emerging Use-Cases of PON
• Subsea and Sensing Networks 
• High-Baud Rate Data Center Technologies
• W-Band Fiber-Wireless Links
• Advanced Photodetectors
• Fiber Characterization and Fiber Sensing
• DSP Design and System Modeling
• Optical Networks for Machine Learning Systems
• Optical Performance Monitoring
• Flexible Coherent PON
• Fiber Sensing
• Devices for Quantum Technologies (Joint D5/SCQ)
• Modulators and Transceivers
• Transmission Impairment Mitigation and Compensation Techniques
• Convergent Optical Access for Mobile Connectivity
• Photonic Processing for Computing and ML
• Coherent Pluggables and Field Trials
• Enabling Technology for Free Space Optical Communications
• Sensing, Devices and OTDR
• Lasers and CPO
• Advanced Optical Technologies
• Hollow Core Fiber
• Direct Detection and Short Reach Transmission Systems
• Converged Fixed and Mobile Networks
• Machine Learning for Estimation and Forecasting
• Transmission Systems and Modelling
• Hybrid Communication/Sensing Systems 

3. Optical Networks for 5G and Beyond

5. Next-Generation Optical Access Networks to Support Super-Broadband Services and 5G/6G Mobile Networks

• Optical metro edge and access aggregation convergence
• Convergence of optical access and mobile broadband systems for new radio access networks
• Evolution of passive optical network (PON) for 50G and 100G data rate, and/or high split ratio and extended reach
• New fiber-wireless integrated radio access network architecture design and system interface
• New use cases and standards development for next-generation PONs
• New use cases for converged optical and wireless access networks
• Future softwarization and virtualization of optical access networks
• Applications of AI/ML in performance improvement and network telemetry in optical and radio access networks
• New advancements in improving the latency, reliability, protection, and security of optical access networks
• Dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithms and multiple media access control (MAC) mechanisms
• Software-defined access and network slicing
• PON architectures for low latency and high-capacity mesh interconnect of edge nodes
• Techno-economics of analysis of optical access enabling dense 5G and beyond deployments

 [More to come ...]