Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate Research Areas

Novel Optoelectronic Photonic Devices

Advisor: Zhou, Weimin (Weimin.zhou@us.army.mil 301-394-1435)
Keywords: Photonics: Optoelectronics; Novel semiconductors; Heterostructures and heterojunctions; Quantum wells

We develop innovative optoelectronic devices (e.g., modulators, splitters, switches, amplifiers, and lasers) and radio frequency-photonic devices (e.g., infrared receivers, optical/microwave converters, photodetectors, and photo-receivers). These devices have applications into photonically controlled microwave systems, fiber-optic gyroscopes, collision avoidance systems, and biosensors.
This research and engineering development involves basic device and material physics studies, as well as prototype device design, modeling, fabrication, and characterization. The development program offers great potential for device and material characterization techniques, their maturation, and advancement. Current research includes aspects of design and characterization of novel strained semiconductor quantum well heterostructures to obtain polarization control, epitaxial growth techniques such as selective epitaxy and regrowth for the purpose of bandgap engineering, monolithic integration of high-speed photodetectors with active field-effect transistors, and monolithic integration of passive and active waveguide components.
SEDD has extensive facilities for material growth, fabrication, and optical and electrical characterization.