NanoPlasmonics, Microphotonics & Imaging

Research that includes:

  • Polymer, printed optical lenslet arrays
  • Microfluidic tuneable photopolymer lenses
  • Optical switches and planar lightwave MEMS
  • Vertically integrated microconfocal arrays
  • Bio-inspired integration of tuneable polymer optics with imaging electronics

BPN472: Nanoplasmonic Light Emitting Devices for Ultra-Fast Modulation

Erwin K. Lau
2010

Semiconductor nanocavities are of interest for their potential as threshold-less lasers and high-speed modulated sources. When cavity volumes are shrunk below the size of a cubic wavelength, the rate of spontaneous emission can be enhanced. This so-called Purcell enhancement has lead to the misconception that the modulation speed of nanocavity lasers can be significantly enhanced beyond that of their classical (large volume) counterparts. Here, by performing a detailed analysis, we show that the modulation bandwidth can, indeed, be increased by the Purcell effect, but that this...

BPN489: Aluminum Plasmonic Nanoantennas for Label-free Protein Detection

Cubukcu Ertugrul
2009

Abstract not available

Project end date: 08/11/09

RSM29: Micromirror Arrays for Adaptive Optics

Michael A. Helmbrecht
2003

This project has demonstrated piston and tip/tilt actuation of an array of 500-750 µm-radius hexagonal mirrors with fill factors exceeding 98%. The mirrors will actuate above the substrate in a piston motion over a range of greater than 5 µm for astronomy applications and over 20 µm for vision science applications. Tip/tilt rotations of about a degree are also required. The frequency response must exceed 4 kHz for astronomy and 100 Hz for vision science. Finally, a scalable interconnect will be investigated that will connect from hundreds to thousands of mirror segments....

RSM34: Feedback Control and Electronics for Deformable Mirrors

Daniel Good
2003

The goal of this project is to design control electronics for the deformable mirrors demonstrated by Michael Helmbrecht. The first part of the circuit design to be performed is control of a single mirror past its pull-in instability. This will extend the possible travel range for a given drive voltage, which is very important, as deformable mirrors benefit from extremely large travel range. The second circuit design goal is to design addressing circuitry to enable mirror scaling from a few actuators to the hundreds or thousands necessary for extreme adaptive optics.

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LWL23: Vertically Supported Microactuators

Ki Bang Lee
2003

This research aims to develop vertically supported microactuators and optical systems on a chip for MEMS and MOEMS applications that require motions of surface-micromachined microstructures or microoptical components. The fabrication process of microactuators is compatable with common MEMS fabrication process and IC manufacturing process, such as the CMOS process.

Project end date: 01/24/04

NT22: Optical Switch Using 2-D Photonic Crystal Waveguides

Fabian Strong
2003

The main goal of this project is to design, fabricate, and test an optical switch using photonic crystal waveguides (PCWs) integrated with a MEMS actuator. A single mechanical assembly aligns a central waveguide array to select between lightwave paths connecting an input waveguide and multiple output waveguides. This project will limit its investigation to two-dimensional photonic crystal waveguides, which rely on total internal reflection for optical confinement in the vertical axis, and the photonic band gap for confinement in the lateral axis.

Project end date:...

LPL27: Biomimetic Imager as Omnidirectional Sensor (BIOS)

Paul Hung
Gang Logan Liu
2004

The ultimate goal of this project is to demonstrate an ultra-wide field-of-view (FOV) optical sensing system capable of accurately detecting and imaging targets at various distance and direction.

Project end date: 08/18/04

LPL25: Tunable Microdoublet Lens Array

Ki-Hun Jeong
2004

We report a novel tunable microdoublet lens capable of creating dual modes of biconvex or meniscus tunable lens. The microlens consists of a tunable liquid-filled lens and a solid negative lens and it can be tuned either by changing the shape of the liquid-filled lens into bi-convex or meniscus or by changing a filling media with different refractive index. The microfabrication is based on soft lithography and photopolymer microdispensing technologies. The microlens can provide a solution for minimizing optical aberrations as well as maximizing the tunability of focal length or field...

RSM35: MEMS barcode reader

Rishi Kant
2003

The goal of this project is to build a commercially viable MEMS-based barcode reader for UPC/EAN barcodes. An initial design will focus on integrating microelectronics and micromechanics for a single-chip realization in order to meet the goals of small size, low power, low cost and ability to integrate into mobile units.

Project end date: 09/08/04

DAH1: Non-dispersive IR gas detection with a MEMS scanning mirror and Linear Variable Filter

J Provine
2004

This project seeks to develop an Infra-Red (IR) gas detector that can tune over a wide frequency range for the detection of various gases such as CO2, CO, and CH4 (methane). The system incorporates a MEMS scanning mirror and various additional optical elements including a Linear Variable Filter (LVF) and parabolic mirrors to achieve the desired system.

Project end date: 01/20/05