Printable Silicon Nanomembranes for Solar-Powered, Bi-Directional Phased-Array-Antenna Communication System on Flexible Substrates

Abstract

Report developed under STTR contract for topic AF08-BT08. In the Phase II program, we have several important achievements related to silicon nanomembrane (SiNM) technology. We developed different SiNM transfer schemes that can enable development of intricate photonic devices on any substrate. In order to couple light efficiently into SiNM devices, we developed a subwavelength grating (SWG) coupler, that can achieve over 40% coupling efficiency using a fiber. Several components crucial for a conformal phased array antenna system, including compact modulator with highest slow down factor, PCW TTD lines with >216ps delay, 1x16 MMI power splitters for array functionality, printed PAA system operation etc were demonstrated. For the first time, demonstration of SiNM photonic devices on other substrates such as glass, Kapton etc was performed. These achievements will lead to the widespread development and use of SiNM based high performance photonic components in several air-borne and space-borne applications.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA582475

Entities

People

  • Harish Subbaraman

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Communication Systems
  • Detectors
  • Dielectrics
  • Electro-Optic Modulators
  • Electron Beam Lithography
  • Field Effect Transistors
  • Lasers
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials Processing
  • Modulators
  • Optical Modulators
  • Optics
  • Optoelectronics
  • Phased Arrays
  • Photonic Devices
  • Semiconductors

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Space