Week 01 - Optical Fibre: The Key Enabler in the Age of AI | PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR)

Lecturers from Photonics Research Institute (PRI)

Prof. LU Chao

Chair Professor of Fiber Optics in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

PRI Director

+852 2766 6281
chao.lu@polyu.edu.hk

Prof. Alan LAU Pak-tao

Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

PRI Management Committee Member

+852 3400 3346
alan.pt.lau@polyu.edu.hk

Dr ZHANG Youqian

Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

PRI Member

+852 2766 6161
you-qian.zhang@polyu.edu.hk

Topic Overview:

Optical fibre communication is a key enabler of the AI era, providing the high-speed and reliable connectivity required by modern digital infrastructure. This lecture introduces the fundamentals of optical communication systems and their key components, explores their role in AI data centres, and discusses recent advances in fibre, devices, transmission technologies, and communication security. Participants will gain insights into how optical fibre technologies are supporting the continued growth of AI applications.

Key Topics:

Overview of a typical optical communication system and its key components.
Discuss the function of optical communication systems in AI data centres.
Recent development in the area including new fibre, component technology, transmission technology and security issues.
Explore how optical fibre technologies are supporting the continued growth of AI applications.