PhotonLab is a 300 m² laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment for the study of fibre optic communication systems and the design of optical sensors and components for industrial and biomedical applications. In close collaboration with the interdepartmental centre PhotoNext of the Politecnico di Torino, with which it partly shares space and equipment, PhotonLab focuses on several research areas, including:

• Simulation and testing of long-haul ultra-wideband optical communications systems;
• Transmission over multimode fibre links using VCSELs as data sources;
• Application of machine learning techniques to control and manage fibre transport networks;
• Transmission of data over new generation fibres such as hollow core and multi-core;
• Use of installed optical fibres as distributed sensors for monitoring vibrations, disturbances and environmental changes – fibre sensing;
• Quantum information processing and quantum key distribution;
• Analysis of the coexistence of quantum cryptography and conventional telecommunications.
• Design of optical sensors for space, railway, automotive and civil applications;
• Development and characterisation of bioresorbable fibres for cancer diagnosis and therapy;
• Use of laser sources to mark, color and texture metallic, polymeric and ceramic materials;
• Rapid and cost-effective production of graphene foams for micro-antennas and wearable sensors.