SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of this proposed Phase I STTR effort is to demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating photonic crystal (PC) technology within OCC’s existing optoelectronic module technology. This will be accomplished through the design and modeling of PC light emitters and waveguides, as well as characterization of their coupling behavior with external systems. The utilization of nanoscale PC technology promises superior wavelength selectivity, reduced temperature sensitivity, and increased density of interconnecting waveguides. OptiComp Corporation occupies a 7000 square foot facility, which includes a full service, semiconductor fabrication cleanroom with MBE wafer growth as well as optoelectronic testing and measurement laboratories. OptiComp design facility includes semiconductor modeling and CAD capabilities. In addition, the University of Illinois’ Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratories include an 8000 square foot class 100 fabrication and 8000 square foot class 1000 growth facility.

Benefits:
The proposed Phase I STTR effort will offer a dual use commercialization opportunity for applications such as photonic crystal (PC) optoelectronic chip-to-chip interconnects. Such devices can provide terabit bandwidths for on-board, radiation-hard, space applications, as well as specialized military platforms and commercial datacom systems. Abstract: VCSEL, Waveguides, Photonic Crystal, GaAs, optoelectronic interconnect, nanoscale, high density

The goal of this Phase II STTR program is to develop photonic crystal (PC) technologies which can enable photonic lightwave circuits (PLC°¶s) that are monolithically integrable with optoelectronic devices and wafers, thereby providing a new technology platform for the heterogeneous integration of photonic and optoelectronic functions. This can significantly increase the density of lightwave circuits, while minimizing intermediate hybrid optical packaging to result in highly compact and more reliable optical subsystem modules. Using a PC-based lightwave circuit in combination with OCC°¶s optoelectronic switching devices can lead to the future realization of highly-integrated, high density optical interconnects for applications in mÉ{-satellite space platforms and in unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV), where compactness, light weight, small size and reliability are all enhanced by multi-functional integration at the chip or wafer-level. Coherent PC-based devices can perform novel optical functions such as self-modulation, optical clock generation and distribution, optical logic and optical storage, which will be investigated under this Phase II STTR program. OCC has had extensive experience in developing advanced high performance optical interconnects for military applications, and has wide-ranging expertise in system architecture, epi-material growth and optoelectronic device technology. OCC°¶s partner in this effort is Professor Axel Scherer at the Califoria Institute of Technology, who brings expertise in photonic crystal design, fabrication, and characterization to this joint effort.

Keywords:
Photonic Crystals Devices, Photonic Lightwave Circuits, Heterogeneous Integration, Nanotechnology, V