Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate Research Areas

Integrated Optics for Communications and Phased Array Antenna Control

Advisor: Zhou, Weimin (Weimin.zhou@us.army.mil 301-394-1435)
Keywords: Optical communications; Waveguides; Antennas; Large-scale integration (electronics)

Sophisticated functionality can be achieved with monolithic integration of waveguide couplers, delay lines, modulators, and detectors. For example, we are investigating a time integrating delay line for microwave phased array antenna beamforming. Fabrication process simplicity and compatibility is significant to the realization of such integrated optical architectures. We are developing InP based, monolithically integrated, waveguide couplers, splitters, amplifiers, and modulators for photonic integrated circuits using selective area epitaxial growth. We are also studying novel opto-electronic devices such as photonic bandgap devices, micro-resonator devices, and optical MEMS devices. Sophisticated RF photonic systems can be built by integrating these novel devices with integrated waveguide circuits.

This research focuses on the design, fabrication, and characterization of novel waveguide architectures for applications in communication (de)multiplexing and phased array antenna control. Key technical issues include modeling and fabrication of broadband (>20 GHz) novel RF-photonic devices, as well as developing the integration technology of these photonic devices. Our objective is to demonstrate a monolithic module that can perform sophisticated functionality for RF photonic systems.