Optoelectronics, photonics and lasers

Latest Innovations
Multiplexed High Energy Lasers Dr. Eden from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has invented a new type of laser capable of creating thousands of near-perfect beams and combining them into... Read More Dr. Eden from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has invented a new type of laser capable of creating thousands of near-perfect beams and combining them into one high energy beam. This new laser has significant applications in manufacturing, defense, and research. 2015-170 Web1.png 2015-170 Web2.png
MacEtch for Ge and β-Ga₂O₃ This metal-assisted chemical etching (MacEtch) technology can be used to fabricate structure and texture on Ge and β-Ga₂O₃Et. The optoelectronic... Read More This metal-assisted chemical etching (MacEtch) technology can be used to fabricate structure and texture on Ge and β-Ga₂O₃Et. The optoelectronic devices made by this method show improvement in both optical and electrical properties. Kim et al., "Scaling the Aspect Ratio of Nanoscale Closely Packed Silicon Vias by MacEtch: Kinetics of Carrier Generation and Mass Transport," Adv. Funct. Mat., 2017
Nanophotonic non-reciprocal circuit Dr. Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a nanophotonic non-reciprocal circuit. The invention allows light to travel only in one... Read More Dr. Gaurav Bahl from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a nanophotonic non-reciprocal circuit. The invention allows light to travel only in one direction and has great application potential in atomic clocks, gravimetry and optical isolators. This is the first time that any circuit that has been able to operate in the GHz region.
Flat panel display with increased clarity Dr. Paul Braun from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new design architecture for backlit LCDs.... Read More Dr. Paul Braun from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new design architecture for backlit LCDs.
Volumetric Optical Integrated Circuit Elements (V.O.I.C.E.) This technology enables the fabrication of multiple plans of interconnected passive photonic devices with the volume of a silicon wafer. The fabrication technique uses... Read More This technology enables the fabrication of multiple plans of interconnected passive photonic devices with the volume of a silicon wafer. The fabrication technique uses porous silicon as a scaffold for photoresist in a direct laser write process to make graded index (GRIN) optics and photonic elements. This technology has the potential to dramatically improve the speed, density, and energy efficiency in applications like telecommunications, computing, data storage and transfer and consumer electronics.
Low Quantum Defect Fiber Lasers via Yb-Doped Multicomponent Fluorosilicate Optical Fiber Dr. Dragic from the University of IL has developed a low-quantum defect fiber-based laser. This invention assists with the management of... Read More Dr. Dragic from the University of IL has developed a low-quantum defect fiber-based laser. This invention assists with the management of thermal energy (quantum defect heating) which can lead to failure of an optical fiber when power scaling fiber-based lasers. A Yb-doped multicomponent flurosilicate optical fiber reduces quantum defect heating in the fiber-based laser. Fiber-based lasers have applications in the automotive, medical, and electronics industries.
Scalable and Cost-effective Method to Fabricate Quantum Dot Films Dr. Seok Kim and Dr. Moonsub Shim from the University of Illinois have developed dry means to pattern QD films over large areas with high resolution while maintaining... Read More Dr. Seok Kim and Dr. Moonsub Shim from the University of Illinois have developed dry means to pattern QD films over large areas with high resolution while maintaining desired properties. This method avoids standard solution based processing and microfabrication methods which are chemically incompatible with quantum dots. Their method of transfer printing is a scalable and cost-effective approach to manufacturing the next generation of QD lighting, display, and photovoltaic technology. Photoluminescence (PL) images of patterned QD films on ODTS coated Si substrates. (a) Red, green, and blue (RGB) QD films patterned in circle, triangle, and star shapes. (b) RGB QD square arrays. (c) Red QD film patterned into ‘UIUC’. All scale bars are 50 microns. (d) PL spectra of patterned RGB QD films.
Device for the Combination of Semiconductor Processes Professor Gary Eden from the University of Illinois has developed a device that leverages the recent development of efficient, flat vacuum ultraviolet/ultraviolet lamps to... Read More Professor Gary Eden from the University of Illinois has developed a device that leverages the recent development of efficient, flat vacuum ultraviolet/ultraviolet lamps to perform two or more semiconductor fabrication processes in the same chamber. This invention is expected to significantly lower the cost of manufacturing electronic devices. This invention also introduces a new photolithography process that does not require chemical processing of a photoresist in a separate tool or by wet chemical processing. This process alone will lower the cost of photolithography and make sub-200 nm resolution photolithography accessible to a broader community of users. Fig: SEMS of patterns formed in acrylic films by irradiating the films through a photomask with a 172 nm flat lamp
High Speed Single-Mode VCSELS Dr. Milton Feng, from the University of Illinois, has developed single mode Oxide-VCSELs that are able to transmit data signals over longer distances, at higher speeds... Read More Dr. Milton Feng, from the University of Illinois, has developed single mode Oxide-VCSELs that are able to transmit data signals over longer distances, at higher speeds and with better fidelity than previously possible. Using self-aligned oxidation procedure they are able to uniformly oxidize the mode selective aperture layer and achieve higher transmission rates without sacrificing fidelity. VCSELs are important for use in 3D biosensors, consumer electronics as well as industrial cutting.
Phase and Intensity Modulator Comprising of a RE-Doped Fiber Dr. Dragic from the University of IL has developed a phase and intensity modulator using rare earth doped ytterbium fiber. The modulators are unconventional because they... Read More Dr. Dragic from the University of IL has developed a phase and intensity modulator using rare earth doped ytterbium fiber. The modulators are unconventional because they do not cause phase change through the passage of light. The fiber absorbs the light and heats up causing phase change to occur.