The Optoelectronic Computing Laboratory (OECL) of Prof Agranat is creating and developing singular devices and circuits for implementing futuristic complex schemes of sensing, data processing, and communication. The devices and circuits created at the OECL implement functions that cannot be implemented by the current state of the art, and hitherto, a roadmap for their implementation has not been anticipated. 

The Research activity in the lab is inherently multidisciplinary and spanned from the fundamental principles of condensed matter physics, and nonlinear optics, through the invention and construction of optoelectronic devices and circuits with unique functionalities, and the conception computer system architectures that exploit these functionalities. The main topics that are currently being pursued at the OECL include:

(1) Wave propagation in nanophotonic 3D curved spaces: In this project we strive to create a completely new paradigm for nanophotonics: Curved Space Nanophotonics. A new class of nanophotonic structures is designed by employing concepts that are imported from the arena of General Relativity and implemented in the lab by the unique Nanoscribe 3D nanoprinting technology; (2) Electroholographic Laser Systems implementing ultra fast active Q switching and electrical wavelength tunability; (3) Diffraction inhibition in self organizing Miniscule nanophotonic tunnels constructed by freezing a dipolar liquid at the phase transition of ferroelectric crystals; (4) Enhancement of intrasite server to server interconnectivity in large scale data center networks by Dynamic electroholographic circuit switching; (5) Paraelectric electrooptics: A new concept in electrooptics for obtaining superior electrooptic and photorefractive performance by exploiting the electrooptic effect of dipolar nano clusters near the ferroelectric phase transition of unique crystals (KLTN/KNTN). Within the framework of this topic, we address all the aspects involved in the creation of a new class of  electrooptic crystals. This includes basic research of the fundamental physics of paraelectric electrooptics, the crystal growth methodology and the fabrication technique of integrated photonic circuits in these crystals, and the conception and construction of devices that exploit paraelectric electrooptics for implementing special functionalities, in particular,  ultra fast optical wavelength selective switching and wavelength tunability.

The OECL was founded in 1991 by Prof. Aharon Agranat. Its main accomplishments to date include -  (i) The invention of Electroholography: governing the reconstruction of volume holograms by electric fields; (ii) The discovery of the Dielectric Electrooptic effect which enables the construction of nonvolatile electroholographic devices; (iii) The invention of the KLTN crystal which is the optimal substrate for paraelectric electrooptic devices; (iii) The development of Refractive Index Engineering by fast ions implantations: a generic fabrication methodology of complex integrated photonic circuits; and (iv) First demonstration of standoff detection of buried landmines by bacterial fluorescent biosensors.

The research in the lab is inherently multidisciplinary, and spanned over a wide spectrum of research topics in the areas of nonlinear optics and holography, optoelectronics, soft condensed matter physics, material science, sensors and parallel computing.

An updated overview of the ongoing research in the laboratory can be found in ongoing projects.