Novel Electro-optic Filters

ECCS-0725552 Christi MadsenTexas A&amp；m该项目的智能优点是使一种新型设备能够在平台上集成各种光功能，同时保持低损耗和高速调制和可编程性。该项目的成果具有广泛的潜力，可以改变需要高速和灵活信号处理的应用。我们提出了一种新颖的器件，它可以在电光衬底上进行滤波，从而实现低损耗和低功耗的高速可编程性，以及调制和滤波功能的集成。低损耗和高折射率对比度波导是实现更大光路集成密度的关键。长期以来，用于高速调制的集成光学平台是铌酸锂；然而，这种材料只能制造低折射率对比度波导，这严重限制了可实现的集成密度，并阻碍了用于实现谐振增强滤波器的小环形谐振器的集成。更广泛的影响包括提供实践制造经验，最终揭示设计的权衡，以及扩大电气工程本科生和研究生的教育范围，包括代表性不足的群体。通过学习和应用材料科学、电气工程和光学领域的概念，学生将更好地为劳动力的跨学科性质做好准备。PI通过她在女工程师协会学生分会和本科生研究项目中的顾问角色，积极参与招募和指导不同的学生基础。社会受益于这一信号处理研究的进步，这影响了用于医学成像、通信、国土安全传感和生物技术的技术。

ECCS-0725552Christi MadsenTexas A&MThe intellectual merit of this project is to enable a novel device on a platform with the capability to integrate various optical functions while simultaneously maintaining low-loss and high-speed modulation and programmability. The outcomes of this project have wide-ranging potential to transform applications that require high-speed and flexible signal processing. We propose a novel device that makes possible filtering on an electro-optic substrate, thus enabling high-speed programmability with low loss and low power consumption, and the integration of modulation and filtering functionalities. Low loss and high index contrast waveguides are key to enabling greater optical circuit integration densities. The long-standing integrated-optics platform for high-speed modulation is lithium niobate; however, only low-index contrast waveguides can be fabricated in this material, which severely limits the achievable integration density and prohibits integration of small ring resonators for realizing resonant-enhanced filters. The broader impacts include providing hands-on fabrication experience, where the design tradeoffs are ultimately revealed, and broadening the educational scope of undergraduate and graduate electrical engineering students, including underrepresented groups. By studying and applying concepts from across the fields of materials science, electrical engineering, and optics, students will be better prepared for the interdisciplinary nature of the workforce. The PI is actively involved in recruiting and mentoring a diverse base of students through her advisor's role with the Society of Women Engineer's student chapter and undergraduate research programs. Society benefits through the advancements in this signal processing research which impacts technology utilized in medical imaging, communications, sensing for homeland security, and biotechnology.