Vincent M. Hietala

Traveling-wave photodetectors for high-power, large-bandwidth applications

The traveling-wave photodetectors (TWPD) discussed here offer theoretical quantum efficiencies approaching 100% while maintaining a very large electrical bandwidth. Additionally, they are capable of dissipating the high-power levels required for large dynamic range applications. In this paper, the power dissipation limit of the TWPD is explored. A small-signal steady-state model is developed that includes the effects of electrical propagation losses along the detector. Fabrication details are presented and experimental data shows a 3/spl times/1250 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ detector with a 4.8-GHz bandwidth. >

Realization of multigigabit channel equalization and crosstalk cancellation integrated circuits

In this paper, we present integrated circuit solutions that enable high-speed data transmission over legacy systems such as short reach optics and electrical backplanes. These circuits compensate for the most critical signal impairments, intersymbol interference and crosstalk. The finite impulse response (FIR) filter is the cornerstone of our architecture, and in this study we present 5- and 10-Gsym/s FIR filters in 2-/spl mu/m GaAs HBTs and 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS, respectively. The GaAs FIR filter is used in conjunction with spectrally efficient four-level pulse-amplitude modulation to demonstrate 10-Gb/s data throughput over 150 m of 500 MHz/spl middot/km multimode fiber. The same filter is also used to demonstrate equalization and crosstalk cancellation at 5 Gb/s on legacy backplane. The crosstalk canceller improves the bit error rate by five orders of magnitude. Furthermore, our CMOS FIR filter is tested and demonstrates backplane channel equalization at 10 Gb/s. Finally, building blocks for crosstalk cancellation at 10 Gb/s are implemented in a 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS process. These circuits will enable 10-Gb/s data rates on legacy systems.

Confocal resonators for measuring the surface resistance of high‐temperature superconducting films

A quasioptical technique of measuring superconductor surface resistance using a confocal resonator has been developed. The method has advantages of nondestructive analysis, high sensitivity, easy extension to higher frequencies, convenient experimental setup, and flexibility in sample size. Tl‐Ca‐Ba‐Cu‐O high‐temperature superconducting films have been measured with this technique and the measured surface resistances were less than 0.01 Ω at 36.135 GHz and 77 K. The measurements have been performed from 29 to 39 GHz, and all films showed roughly a quadratic dependence of surface resistance with frequency.

Mass-Sensitive Microfabricated Chemical Preconcentrator

This paper describes a mass-sensitive microfabricated preconcentrator for use in chemical detection microsystems. The device combines mass sensing and preconcentration to create a smart preconcentrator (SPC) that determines when it has collected sufficient analyte for analysis by a downstream chemical microsystem. The SPC is constructed from a Lorentz-force-actuated pivot-plate resonator with an integrated heater. Subsequent to microfabrication, the SPC is coated with an adsorbent for collection of chemical analytes. The frequency of operation varies inversely with the mass of collected analyte. Such shifts can be measured by a back-EMF in the SPCs drive/transducer line. By using a calibrated vapor system, the limit of detection of the SPC was determined to be less than 50 ppb for dimethyl-methyl-phosphonate (DMMP) (actual limits of detection are omitted due to export control limitations). At 1 ppm of DMMP, 1-s collection was sufficient to trigger analysis in a downstream microsystem; other micropreconcentrators would require an arbitrary collection time, normally set at 1 min or longer. This paper describes the theory of operation, design, fabrication, coating, vapor system testing, and integration of the SPC into microanalytical systems. The theory of operation, which is applicable to other torsional oscillators, is used to predict a shear modulus of silicon (100) of G = 57.0 GPa plusmn2.2 GPa.

Flux flow microelectronics

Flux-flow-based devices such as the superconducting flux flow transistor and magnetically controlled long junctions have been made from thin films of TlCaBaCuO and YBaCuO. The devices are based on the magnetic control of flux flow in their respective structures: a long junction or an array of weak links. The equivalent circuits of the two devices are similar: a low-impedance input control line, an output impedance of 3-20 Omega , and an active current-controlled element. The long junctions have tended to be slower, to have lower gain, and to be somewhat less noisy than their counterparts. Circuits such as narrowband and distributed amplifiers (50-GHz bandwidths, noise figures <3 dB), phase shifters (continuous with <2-dB loss, 4-40 GHz), logic gates (2-3-ps gate delays). and memories made using these devices are compared and analyzed in terms of performance.<<ETX>>

Superconducting Josephson arrays as tunable microwave sources operating at 77 K

High‐temperature superconducting arrays of Josephson junctions have been fabricated and tested as millimeter‐wave oscillators at 77 K. Power levels in the microwatt range have been detected in the range of 90–160 GHz from arrays using from 350 to almost 60 000 YBa2Cu3O7 junctions. Monolithic log‐periodic spiral antennas as well as quasioptical resonators have been used to enable power coupling. The arrays were also found to be bias tunable over ranges limited by the receiving apparatus.

High-speed vertical cavity surface emitting lasers

We have previously demonstrated record modulation bandwidths for oxide-confined vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) based on strained InGaAs-GaAs quantum wells. The monolithic oxide-confined structure provides good optical confinement, low thresholds, efficient operation, and acceptable thermal resistance; these qualities promote high speed operation. Here we report work on nominally 850 nm wavelength oxide-confined VCSELs with modulation bandwidths in excess of 20 GHz.

All optical millimeter-wave electrical signal generation using an integrated mode-locked semiconductor ring laser and photodiode

The first monolithic photonic integrated circuit for all-optical generation of millimeter (mm)-wave electrical signals is reported. The design integrates a mode-locked semiconductor ring diode laser, an optical amplifier, and a high-speed photodetector into a single optical integrated circuit. Signal generation is demonstrated at frequencies of 30, 60, and 90 GHz.

YBa2Cu3O7 nanobridges fabricated by direct‐write electron beam lithography

A direct method for nondamaging, nanometer‐scale patterning of high Tc superconductor thin films is presented. We have fabricated superconducting nanobridges in high‐quality, epitaxial thin‐film YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO) by combining direct‐write electron beam lithography and an improved aqueous etchant. Weak links with both length and width dimensions less than 20 nm have exhibited critical currents at 77 K of 4–20 μA and IcRn products of 10–100 μV which compare favorably with results for other YBCO junction technologies. We have used this technique in the fabrication of a shock‐wave pulse former as an initial demonstration of its applicability to monolithic superconductive electronics.

S-parameter measurements and microwave applications of superconducting flux flow transistors

Microwave two-port S-parameter measurements and modeling of superconducting flux flow transistors are presented. The transistors, based on the magnetic control of flux flow in any array of high temperature superconducting weak links, exhibit significant available power gain at microwave frequencies (over 20 dB at 7-10 GHz in some devices). The input impedance is largely inductive while the output impedance is both resistive and inductive. It is shown that the characteristics of these devices are useful in numerous applications including matched amplifiers, phase shifters and active impedance convertors. >