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RESEARCHERS at the University of Texas at Arlington are developing an ultrathin semiconductor sensor that can be integrated with mainstream electronics on the same silicon substrate, with increased capacity and energy efficiency.
The laser is being developed with the help of a three-year, US$600,000 grant from the US Army Research Office. The researchers will build upon advances in printed photonic crystals and silicon lab-on-a-chip technology.
Professor Weidong Zhou, who is leading the research, has also recently received a three-year, $935,000 grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to explore extreme energy efficiency lasers.
Professor Zhou is well-placed to undertake this research: he holds three issued patents related to this technology and has more than 270 journal publications and conference presentations. His previous research led to innovations that removed roadblocks to putting optical technology on a silicon chip.
At the centre of this research is a membrane laser less than 1 µm thick that is compatible with planar complementary metal oxide silicon platforms, the building blocks for all electronics.
The researchers successfully integrated a compound semiconductor material with a silicon photonic crystal cavity, allowing a laser to be built directly on a silicon chip next to other electrical components, leading to higher speed and efficiency.
The research group will use the grant to continue innovations in high-performance membrane lasers. A key area of exploration is extremely energy-efficient computing and communications systems.
"We are looking for devices and components to be integrated on a chip," Zhou said. "As we address electrical injection, integration with other devices on the chip and increased power capabilities, we can begin to apply this technology to products in the medical field or in the consumer arena. These applications could include portable electronics, sensing and imaging equipment, bio applications and wearable electronics."