Impact Ionization Based Multipliers for Optical Receivers

智力优势：该项目涉及一种光接收器技术的开发，该技术可以在性能上实现戏剧性的飞跃。所采用的研究方法是基于一种名为固态撞击电离倍增器的新型放大装置。该器件采用与雪崩光电二极管相同的增益机制，但具有物理优势，可以实现低噪声放大，从而提高接收器的灵敏度。通过在硅中制作器件和测量增益和频率响应，说明了固态撞击电离倍增器的基本原理。计算机模拟已经被用来设计能够高速(2.5Gbit/S)的下一代设备。这一研究计划的前提是可以制作高速固态碰撞电离倍增器，并与光电二极管和后置放大器集成，以产生极高灵敏度的光通信接收器。更广泛的影响：上面概述的研究计划具有重大的更广泛的影响。除了推进接收器和设备的科学和技术，这项工作还将纳入强大的教育组成部分，这将利用杨百翰大学与行业合作伙伴之间的合作。研究生将参与器件模拟、制造、封装和测试。本科生的研究也将被整合到该项目中，并将专门参与创建将用于推广计划的示范模型。这次外展将集中在杨百翰大学的夏季学术精炼(Soar)项目上。Soar允许数百名未被充分代表的少数族裔高中生在杨百翰大学校园里度过几个暑假周，为大学招生做准备，并学习包括科学和工程在内的不同学习项目。与Soar学生一起举办的研讨会将使用新创建的演示向他们介绍光通信、光电子学和杨百翰正在进行的具体研究背后的原理。

Intellectual Merits: This project involves the development of an optical receiver technology that can provide a dramatic leap in performance. The research approach used is based on a novel amplification device called the Solid-state Impact-ionization Multiplier. This device employs the same gain mechanism found in avalanche photodiodes but has physical advantages that allow for lower-noise amplification and thus improved receiver sensitivity. The basic mechanism of the Solid-state Impact-ionization Multiplier has been demonstrated by fabricating devices in silicon and measuring gain and frequency responses. Computer simulations have been used to design a next generation device capable of high speeds (2.5 Gbit/s). The premise of this proposed research program is that high-speed Solid-state Impact-ionization Multipliers can be fabricated and integrated with photodiodes and post amplifiers to produce extreme sensitivity optical communication receivers. Broader impacts: The research program outlined above has significant broader impact. In addition to advancing receiver and device science and technology, the work will incorporate a strong educational component that will take advantage of the cooperation between BYU and industry partners. Graduate students will participate in device simulation, fabrication, packaging, and testing. Undergraduate research will also be integrated into the project and will specifically be involved in the creation of demonstration models that will be used for an outreach program. This outreach will be centered on BYU's Summer of Academic Refinement (SOAR) program. SOAR allows hundreds of under-represented minority high school students to spend several summer weeks on the BYU campus preparing for college admissions and learning about different programs of study including those in science and engineering. Workshops with SOAR students will use newly created demos to introduce them to the principles behind optical communications, optoelectronics, and the specific research being pursued at BYU.