CAREER: Optically Inspired Electronics

这项研究的目的是设计和演示集成电路，可以产生太赫兹频率的信号，并在标准硅工艺中以每秒数十千兆样本的低功耗处理信息。 该方法是基于特殊的波的传播现象，并将它们应用到非线性或非均匀electricallattice.Intellectual优点：该研究的重点是开发一种新的电路设计方法时，设备的操作接近甚至超过其最大单位功率增益频率。主要的贡献是从根本上展示了新的高频信号产生和处理系统的数量级更好的性能方面的最大输出功率，工作频率，功率效率和带宽相比，现有的方法。 更广泛的影响：预期的研究结果有可能对通信设备、雷达、信号源和处理器等电子系统产生变革性的影响，在这些系统中，更高的工作频率意味着更高的数据速率或更好的分辨率。该研究将电气工程，应用物理和数学领域的多个学科融合为一个连贯的研究主题。这为开展研究的学生提供了极好的教育机会。将在这一研究环境中积极招募和培训来自代表性不足群体的妇女和少数民族学生。研究结果将用于开发新的课程，强调基本的理解和基于项目的。为了让公众参与研究，计划举办讲习班和在线短片。

The objective of this research is to design and demonstrate integrated circuits that can generate signals at terahertz frequencies and process information at tens of giga-samples per second with low power consumption in standard silicon processes. The approach is based on special wave propagation phenomena and applying them to nonlinear or inhomogeneous electrical lattices.Intellectual merit: The research is focused on developing a new method of circuit design when the devices operate close to or even beyond their maximum unity power gain frequency. The main contribution is to demonstrate fundamentally novel high frequency signal generation and processing systems with orders of magnitude better performance in terms of maximum output power, operating frequency, power efficiency, and bandwidth compared to the existing methods. Broader impacts: The expected research results have the potential to have a transformative impact on electronic systems, such as communication devices, radars, signal sources, and processors, where higher operation frequency translates to higher data rate or better resolution. The research blends multiple disciplines within the fields of electrical engineering, applied physics and mathematics into a coherent research theme. This provides an excellent educational opportunity for the students that carry out the research. Women and minority students from underrepresented groups will be actively recruited and trained in this research environment. The research results will be used to develop new courses that emphasize on fundamental understanding and are project-based. To involve the public in the research, workshops and short online videos are planned.