EAGER:Proof-of -concept demonstration of a novel device that controls propagation of electromagnetic waves

这项 EAGER 资助的目的是通过理论建模、制造、测试和测量一种新型动态可切换电磁 (EM) 慢波结构来寻求概念验证演示的种子资金，该结构预计将在光谱学、太赫兹电子学、生物传感和危险材料生物分析等领域得到广泛应用。具体来说，将首次证明嵌入波纹状规则周期金属结构内的双折射各向异性介电介质可用于以创新方式减慢和分散电磁波，这也将使新设备能够以电光方式控制电磁波传播到开和关（比开状态强度低约20 dB）状态。与需要大量芯片空间的传统光学电路不同，所提出的慢波器件由于其较小的几何形状和与 CMOS 技术的工艺兼容性，可以轻松集成在 VLSI 芯片上。 智力优点：该研究将首次开发动态控制的慢波电磁 (EM) 结构，由于其小型化的几何形状和与 CMOS 技术的工艺兼容性，可以轻松集成在 VLSI 芯片中。对各种类型的电光材料作为各向异性介电介质的理论研究将揭示在不同施加电压下不同的折射率如何能够以不同的模式色散电磁波，从而通过仔细的色散工程，可以像开关一样打开和关闭电磁波传播。这一特性对于可控波导和逻辑开关形式的三端慢波电磁设备的设计至关重要。 更广泛的影响：除了所提出的设备可能在光谱学、太赫兹电子学、生物传感和危险材料生物分析领域得到广泛应用之外，该研究项目的教育目标还将为本科生和研究生提供跨学科培训。 PI 研究团队中的一名非裔美国博士生将有助于促进多样性，并鼓励女性和少数族裔学生加入电气和计算机工程博士学位课程。 PI过去花费了大量精力为K-12学生编写数学软件，现在打算让学生接触到该项目中将制造的各种类型的创新设备，预计将激发学生对科学和工程的兴趣。 PI与Raytheon和HRL等许多美国公司以及日本、韩国和中国的国际研究合作伙伴有着积极的合作，这些合作伙伴过去曾与PI发表论文并交换研究人员。为了促进本科生的研究，PI每年都会举办暑期实习生计划，来自密歇根州和海外国家的本科生加入PI的实验室接触研究。

The purpose of this EAGER grant is to seek seed funding for the proof-of-concept demonstration through theoretical modeling, fabrication, testing and measurement of a novel dynamically switchable Electro-Magnetic (EM) slow-wave structure that is expected to find wide applications in spectroscopy, THz electronics, bio-sensing and bio-analyzing of hazardous materials. Specifically, for the first time, it will be demonstrated that birefringent anisotropic dielectric media embedded inside a corrugated regular periodic metallic structure, can be utilized to slow down and disperse EM waves in an innovative way that will also allow the new device to electro-optically control the EM wave propagation into ON and OFF (about 20 dB lower than ON state strength) states. Unlike conventional optical circuitry that requires a large amount of chip real estate, the proposed slow-wave device can be easily integrated on VLSI chips because of their smaller geometries and process compatibility with CMOS technology.Intellectual Merits:The research will develop, for the first time, dynamically-controlled slow-wave Electromagnetic (EM) structures that can be easily integrated in VLSI chips because of their miniaturized geometries and process compatibility with CMOS technology. The theoretical study on various types of electro-optic materials as an anisotropic dielectric medium will reveal how varying refractive indices at different applied voltages will be able to disperse EM waves in distinguished modes so that with careful dispersion engineering, EM wave propagation can be turned on and turned off like a switch. This feature is essential in the design of three-terminal slow-wave EM devices both in the form of controllable waveguides and logic switches.Broader Impact:Besides the fact that the proposed device is likely to find wide applications in spectroscopy, THz electronics, bio-sensing and bio-analyzing of hazardous materials, the educational objectives of this research project will impart interdisciplinary training to undergraduate and graduate students. Having an African American doctoral student in PI's research team already will help promote diversity and will encourage female and minority students to join the doctoral degree program in electrical and computer engineering. The PI has in the past spent considerable effort to write mathematical software for K-12 students and now intends to expose students to various types of innovative devices that will be fabricated in this project, which is expected to stimulate school students interest in Science and Engineering. The PI has an active collaboration with many US based companies such as Raytheon and HRL, as well as international research partners in Japan, Korea and China who had in the past published papers with the PI and exchanged research personnel. To promote research among undergraduate students, the PI annually holds Summer Interns program where undergrads from Michigan and overseas countries join the PI' laboratories to get exposed to research.