Description

This fellowship opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on advancing on-chip metrology for millimeter-wave (mm-wave) and terahertz frequency electronics, specifically targeting frequencies above 40 GHz. Modern high-frequency electronics such as transistors, amplifiers, and mixers require precise control of large-amplitude electrical signals at multiple harmonics of their operating frequencies. Current test instrumentation is limited to below approximately 40 GHz, forcing manufacturers to rely on trial-and-error design methods.

The program aims to break this frequency barrier by developing a DC to 1 THz large-amplitude optoelectronic multitone electrical-signal synthesizer. This approach combines the high amplitude capabilities of new electronic amplifiers with the ultra-wide bandwidth of optical systems, using frequency division to reduce noise. The modular architecture amplifies individual electrical signals to produce the largest possible diagnostic signals above 40 GHz.

This research will enable large-amplitude testing of modern electronics operating at mm-wave and terahertz frequencies, accelerating the deployment of high-bandwidth, low-latency telecommunications systems critical for autonomous infrastructure, exascale computing, and augmented reality.

The programmatic research areas include:

• Design, simulation, construction, and testing of optical frequency comb systems utilizing waveshapers.
• Design, simulation, fabrication, and testing of terahertz optical-to-electrical transducers.
• Design, simulation, fabrication, and testing of terahertz electrical combiners.

Applicants will contribute to developing innovative Fourier synthesizer technologies and explore new materials and fundamental physics relevant to high-frequency electronics.