Dr. Mansour Mortazavi, Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Economic Development and Assistant Professor Dr. Seyed Amir Ghetmiri received a $735,000.00 grant from the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to pursue research in middle-infrared integrated microwave photonics. The UAPB team will collaborate with Professor Fisher Yu from the electrical engineering department at the University of Arkansas to design, fabricate, and characterize an integrated photonic chip for high-speed data measurement and communication.
Photonics refers to a field of research that aims to replace electron and electronic circuits with light and photonic circuits to increase the data transfer rate and data processing speed. Future applications of photonics includes integration of photonic devices on a chip like integrated circuits (ICs). Developing this technology demands dramatic improvements in performance and efficiency of photonic devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, and lasers by reducing the size, weight, and power consumption. The objective of this project is to develop a photonic chip that meets these demands. Dr. Ghetmiri’s approach to this project is through design, fabrication, and characterization of micro/nano photonic devices such as Lasers, waveguides, modulators, and photodetectors. These devices are made of newly developed semiconductor, GeSn that operates at middle infrared region which is the best choice for telecommunication purposes. This project has significant applications in defense systems, such as radar signal processing, and civilian applications such as cell phone technology, sensing, and Datacom
The funded proposal will open new opportunities to extend UAPB research capabilities and benefit students to participate in nanoscience and engineering related research. The UAPB team thanks NASA, NSF, Air Force, and Army for their continuous support.
For more information about the project, contact Dr. Mansour Mortazavi at (870) 575-7140.
