Silicon Light-Controlled Passive Elements for High Speed, High Power Electronics

The U.S. Army needs new tunable electronic components for high-frequency high-power devices such as RF power amplifiers and other devices and subsystems in the Future Combat System. These components must have extended tuning range and fast response to control signals. To meet this Army need, Physical Optics Corporation proposes to develop a new Silicon Light Controlled (SiLC) switching technology, in which several passive elements can be combined either in parallel or in series with low induced losses for high-frequency signals. The induced losses will be reduced by fully separating the high-power circuits from the control signal circuit. Light-induced conductive bridges between passive elements will be created in specially formed charge-confining area on silicon wafer by highly efficient vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs). The proposed technology will bring great flexibility to circuit design for both existing and future passive electronic components. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate a fully operational SiLC switch model; Phase II will be devoted to technology optimization and to fabrication of tunable elements for immediate integration into Future Combat System devices.