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

EAGER赠款的目的是通过理论建模，制造，测试和测量新型动态可切换电磁（EM）慢波结构的概念验证演示寻求种子资金，该结构有望在光谱学，THz电子学，生物传感和生物分析中找到广泛的应用危险材料。具体地，第一次，它将被证明，双折射各向异性介电介质嵌入内的波纹规则的周期性金属结构，可以被用来减慢和分散EM波在一个创新的方式，也将允许新的设备，以电光控制EM波传播到ON和OFF（约20 dB低于ON状态强度）状态。不同于传统的光学电路，需要大量的芯片真实的房地产，建议的慢波器件可以很容易地集成在超大规模集成电路芯片上，因为它们的较小的几何形状和工艺兼容性与CMOS technology.Intellectual Merits：这项研究将开发，第一次，动态控制的慢波电磁（EM）结构，可以很容易地集成在超大规模集成电路芯片，因为其小型化的几何形状和工艺兼容性与CMOS技术。对作为各向异性电介质的各种电光材料的理论研究将揭示在不同的施加电压下改变折射率将如何能够以不同的模式分散EM波，以便通过仔细的色散工程，EM波传播可以像开关一样打开和关闭。这一功能是必不可少的三端慢波电磁器件的设计中的可控波导和逻辑开关的形式。更广泛的影响：除了事实上，拟议的设备可能会发现在光谱学，太赫兹电子学，生物传感和生物分析的有害物质，这个研究项目的教育目标将传授跨学科的培训本科生和研究生。在PI的研究团队中有一名非洲裔美国博士生已经将有助于促进多样性，并将鼓励女性和少数民族学生加入电气和计算机工程博士学位课程。PI过去花了相当大的努力为K-12学生编写数学软件，现在打算让学生接触到将在该项目中制造的各种创新设备，预计将激发学生对科学和工程的兴趣。PI与许多美国公司（如Raytheon和HRL）以及日本、韩国和中国的国际研究合作伙伴积极合作，这些合作伙伴过去曾与PI一起发表论文并交换研究人员。为了促进本科生的研究，PI每年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.