Did you know that Intel has recently developed an optical interconnect (http://techresearch.intel.com/articles/None/1813.htm), which they’re going to be rolling out onto PC’s over the next couple of years? The computers of the very near future are going to include chip-scale optical and optoelectronic devices.
Understanding how photonic devices work and where they fit into realistic systems is going to be important for anyone who wants to understand the future of computer architecture and advanced VLSI implementation.
I’d like to invite you to sign up for a new course that I’m teaching this year, entitled Waveguide Integrated Optics. In this course, we’re going to cover the basic technologies that go into building optoelectronic circuits within traditional CMOS VLSI. We’ll cover process integration, modulators, detectors, waveguides, and the other issues associated with making these systems real. The course will also include a project component, where you will learn to analyze silicon waveguide based devices using both theoretical and computational tools, including industry-standard optical design automation software.
My background includes starting a couple of companies in this space, including luxtera (www.luxtera.com), so we’ll also discuss commercial opportunities: Where might there be chances to do exciting research, both here on campus in the wider world? What kinds of startup companies are likely to emerge? How might you go about getting a company funded in this space?
The course is being taught at a special topics course this year, and is listed as EE400 section B; it’s three credits and mees on Fridays from 1:30 to 4:20 (probably with a short break in the middle). It meets in EEB 025. Please send me email at hochberg@washington.edu if you have any questions.
This course is open to both undergraduates and graduate students; you’ll be expected to be familiar with Maxwell’s equations and basic electromagnetics, though this will be reviewed briefly at the beginning of the course. Very basic familiarity with some mathematical programming environment – matlab, C, or something else – will also be expected.
I look forward to seeing you in class!
Michael