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

这项EAGER拨款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，为概念验证示范寻求种子资金，该结构有望在光谱学、太赫兹电子学、生物传感和有害物质的生物分析中找到广泛的应用。具体来说，将首次证明嵌入在波纹规则周期性金属结构中的双折射各向异性介电介质可以以一种创新的方式来减缓和分散电磁波，这也将使新器件能够电光控制电磁波传播到ON和OFF状态（比ON状态强度低约20 dB）。与需要大量芯片空间的传统光学电路不同，由于其更小的几何形状和与CMOS技术的工艺兼容性，所提出的慢波器件可以很容易地集成在VLSI芯片上。智力优势：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，可以很容易地集成到VLSI芯片中。对作为各向异性介质的各种电光材料的理论研究将揭示在不同的外加电压下，不同的折射率如何能够使电磁波以不同的模式分散，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的传播。这一特性在可控波导和逻辑开关形式的三端慢波电磁器件的设计中是必不可少的。更广泛的影响：除了拟议的设备可能在光谱学，太赫兹电子学，生物传感和有害物质的生物分析方面得到广泛应用之外，本研究项目的教育目标将为本科生和研究生提供跨学科的培训。PI的研究团队中已经有了一名非裔美国博士生，这将有助于促进多样性，并将鼓励女性和少数族裔学生加入电子和计算机工程的博士学位课程。PI在过去花了相当多的精力为K-12学生编写数学软件，现在打算让学生们接触到各种各样的创新设备，这些设备将在这个项目中制造出来，有望激发学生对科学和工程的兴趣。PI与许多美国公司，如雷神公司和HRL，以及日本，韩国和中国的国际研究伙伴积极合作，他们过去曾与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项目，让来自密歇根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.