Overview of the Solid State Electronics and Photonics Discipline and The

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Overview of the Solid State Electronics and Photonics Discipline and The SolidSolid StateState ElectronicsElectronics andand PhotonicsPhotonics ElectricalElectrical andand ComputerComputer EngineeringEngineering TheThe OhioOhio StateState UniversityUniversity An Overview for Prospective Students http://www.ece.osu.edu/ssep SSEPSSEP Area:Area: WhoWho AreAre We?We? First Row • Betty Lise Anderson • Steven A. Ringel • Wu Lu Second Row • George J. Valco • Paul R. Berger • Leonard J. Brillson • Patrick Roblin AreasAreas ofof ECEECE ConcentrationConcentration • Circuits • Communications and Signal Processing • Computer Engineering • Controls • Electromagnetics • Power Systems • Solid State Electronics and Photonics AreasAreas ofof ECEECE ConcentrationConcentration • Controls • Communications and Signal Processing • Computer Engineering “The Food Chain” • Electromagnetics • Circuits • Solid State Electronics and Photonics • Power Systems Solid State Electronics and Photonics Circuits & Electronics Track EE 331 Intro to Materials for All Electrical Engineering EE 323 Electronic Analysis, All Design and Simulation EE 432 Physics of All Semiconductor Devices Solid Lines indicate a link through prerequisites LAB EE 327 Aut Electromagnetics Electronic LAB Devices & Circuits PHY 631 Quantum EE 637 Solid State Branch Laboratory Aut Mechanics Aut Microelectronics Series Laboratory PHY 632 Win LAB LAB LAB EE 734 EE 735 EE 737 EE 732 EE 736 EE 731 EE 716 EE 710 EE 723 EE 720 EE 721 EE 722 Odd Spr Even Win Odd Win Odd Aut Odd Win Spr Aut Aut Win Win Spr Aut PHY 633 Silicon Compound Photonics Quantum Electronic Fiber Optics Microwave Microwave Low Digital Intro to Analog Spr Semiconductors Lab Electron Surfaces & Optics with Circuits Transistor Power VLSI Integrated Solid State Technology Devices: Interfaces Laser Amplifiers Mixed Design Circuits Lasers Light & Signal Oscillators VLSI & Lab Design PHY 780.06 EE 730 Fundamentals of Spr Aut Semiconductors for Microelectronics & Condensed Optoelectronics Matter Physics EE 831 EE 832 EE 835.x EE 833 EE 917 EE 820 Even Win Even Spr Win Even Aut Ask Dept. Spr Semiconductor High-speed Special Optical Effects in Advanced Optical Analog VLSI Devices Semiconductor Studies in Materials & Concepts Design Devices Nanostructure Devices Devices The terms “even” or “odd” refer to the year in which the quarter occurs. For example, autumn ’02 is even, winter ’01 is odd, even though they are in the same academic year. SolidSolid StateState ElectronicsElectronics andand PhotonicsPhotonics •• ElectronicElectronic DevicesDevices •• OptoelectronicOptoelectronic DevicesDevices –– SolarSolar cells,cells, LEDLED’’s,s, CDCD lasers,lasers, FiberFiber opticsoptics •• NanoelectronicsNanoelectronics •• PlasticPlastic semiconductorssemiconductors •• MicroMicro--machinesmachines ComputerComputer FoodFood ChainChain CareerCareer OpportunitiesOpportunities •• BachelorBachelor’’ss –– Manufacturing?Manufacturing? •• MasterMaster’’ss –– Development?Development? •• Ph.D.Ph.D. –– FundamentalFundamental Research?Research? Moore’s Law A new technology every 2 years Process Name P856 P858 Px60 P1262 P1264 P1266 P1268 1st Production 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 Lithography .25µm .18µm .13µm 90nm 65nm 45nm 32nm Gate Length .20µm .13µm <70nm <50nm <35nm <25nm <18nm Wafer Size (mm) 200 200 200/300 300 300 300 300 Manufacturing Development Research Copy Exactly! Pathfinding IntelIntel 4 Accelerated Scaling of 130nm Node Planar Transistors 90nm Node 70nm Length 65nm Node (Production2001) 45nm Node 50nm Length (Production in 2003) 30nm Prototype 32nm Node (Production in 2005) 25 nm 20nm Prototype 15nm (Production in 2007) 15nm Prototype IntelIntel (Production in 2009)5 Silicon devices are Nanotechnology 50nm 100nm Transistor for Influenza virus 90nm process Source: CDC Source: Intel 25 nm 15nm Research 15nm Transistor IntelIntel 6 Transistor Gate Length Scaling 10 10 3.0um 2.0um Typical 1.5um Feature 1.0um 1 .8um Size 1 .5um .35um Micron .25um .18um .13um 0.1 90nm 0.1 Gate Length 50nm 0.01 0.01 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 Transistor Gate Length is Smallest Feature on the Device IntelIntel 7 OurOur OSUOSU ECEECE ProgramProgram •• RankedRanked #22#22 inin thethe nationnation outout ofof 126126 ECE Programs nationwide by the National Research Council, the most comprehensive academic program review, every ~8-12 years! • Highest in the State of Ohio. •• TierTier #1#1 ResearchResearch UniversityUniversity – our faculty participate and drive leading edge research, not reading about it in a book. National Research Council Doctoral Program Study The Ohio State University – Engineering Rank/Total Department Quality Effective Percentile Aerospace 24/33 27.3% 2.84 (good) 3.03 (reasonable) Biomedical 26/38 31.6% 3.26 (strong) 3.25 (reasonable) Chemical 40/86 53.5% 2.73 (good) 3.07 (reasonable) Electrical 22/126 82.5% 3.53 (strong) 3.63 (extremely) Mechanical 25/110 77.3% 3.32 (strong) 3.28 (reasonable) Material Science 21/65 67.7% 3.48 (strong) 3.36 (reasonable) National Research Council Doctoral Program Study The Ohio State University – Sciences Department Rank Quality Effective Chemistry 22/168 86.9% 3.87 (strong) 3.79 (extremely) Computer Science 39/108 63.9% 2.92 (good) 2.94 (reasonable) Math 29/139 79.1% 3.66 (strong) 3.13 (reasonable) Physics 24/147 83.7% 3.75 (strong) 3.70 (extremely) Astrophysics & 23/33 30.3% 2.91 (good) 2.76 (reasonable) Astronomy Biochemistry & 59/194 69.3% 3.16 (strong) 3.22 (reasonable) Molecular Biology BigBig isis SmallSmall •• BreadthBreadth andand StrengthStrength acrossacross OhioOhio StateState –– StudentsStudents changechange majorsmajors 33--44 times,times, onon average.average. •• FeelsFeels SmallSmall WithinWithin ECEECE –– ECEsECEs knowknow eacheach otherother –– ECEsECEs knowknow theirtheir facultyfaculty •• InteractionInteraction withwith FacultyFaculty –– WithinWithin eacheach ECEECE discipline,discipline, closeclose knit.knit. ThanksThanks forfor youryour time!time! •• ElectricalElectrical andand ComputerComputer EngineeringEngineering isis important.important. –– ItIt hashas revolutionizedrevolutionized thethe worldworld wewe livelive in,in, andand willwill continuecontinue toto dodo soso forfor thethe foreseeableforeseeable future.future. •• ElectricalElectrical andand ComputerComputer EngineersEngineers earnearn goodgood money.money. –– ECEECE ranksranks atat thethe toptop ofof engineeringengineering disciplines.disciplines. •• ElectricalElectrical andand ComputerComputer EngineeringEngineering isis fun!fun! –– Challenging,Challenging, excitingexciting work.work..
Recommended publications
  • B.Sc. Mechatronics Specialization: Photonic Engineering
    Study plan for: B.Sc. Mechatronics Specialization: Photonic Engineering Faculty of Mechatronics Study plan for reference only; may be subject to change. Semester 1 Course Lecture Tutorial Labs Pojects ECTS (hours) (hours) (hours) (hours) Physical Education and Sports 30 Patents and Intelectual Property 30 2 Optics and Photonics Applications 30 15 3 Calculus I 30 45 7 Algebra and Geometry 15 30 4 Engineering Graphics 15 30 2 Materials 30 2 Computer Science I 30 30 6 Engineering Physics 30 30 4 Total ECTS 30 Semester 2 Course Lecture Tutorial Labs Pojects ECTS (hours) (hours) (hours) (hours) Physical Education and Sports 30 Economics 30 2 Elective Lecture 1/Virtual and 30 3 Augmented Reality Calculus II 30 30 5 Engineering Graphics ‐ CAD 30 2 Computer Science II 15 15 5 Mechanics I i II 45 45 6 Mechanics of Structures I 30 15 4 Electric Circuits I 30 15 3 Total ECTS 30 1 Study Plan for B.Sc. Mechatronics (Spec. Photonic Engineering) Semester 3 Course Lecture Tutorial Labs Pojects ECTS (hours) (hours) (hours) (hours) Physical Education and Sports 30 0 Foreign Language 60 4 Elective Lecture 2/Introduction to 30 3 MEMS Calculus III 15 30 6 Mechanics of Structures II 15 15 4 Manufacturing Technology I 30 4 Fine Machine Design I 15 30 3 Electric Circuits II 30 3 Basics of Automation and Control I 30 15 4 Total ECTS 31 Semester 4 Course Lecture Tutorial Labs Pojects ECTS (hours) (hours) (hours) (hours) Physical Education and Sports 30 Foreign Language 60 4 Elective Lecture 3/Photographic 30 3 techniques in image acqusition Elective Lecture 4 30 3 /Enterpreneurship Optomechatronics 30 30 5 Electronics I 15 15 2 Electronics II 15 1 Fine Machine Design II 15 15 3 Manufacturing Technology 30 2 Metrology 30 30 4 Total ECTS 27 Semester 5 Course Lecture Tutorial Labs Pojects ECTS (hours) (hours) (hours) (hours) Physical Education and Sports 30 0 Foreign Language 60 4 Marketing 30 2 Elective Lecture 5/ Electric 30 2 2 Study Plan for B.Sc.
    [Show full text]
  • Read About the Future of Packaging with Silicon Photonics
    The future of packaging with silicon photonics By Deborah Patterson [Patterson Group]; Isabel De Sousa, Louis-Marie Achard [IBM Canada, Ltd.] t has been almost a decade Optics have traditionally been center design. Besides upgrading optical since the introduction of employed to transmit data over long cabling, links and other interconnections, I the iPhone, a device that so distances because light can carry the legacy data center, comprised of many successfully blended sleek hardware considerably more information off-the-shelf components, is in the process with an intuitive user interface that it content (bits) at faster speeds. Optical of a complete overhaul that is leading to effectively jump-started a global shift in transmission becomes more energy significant growth and change in how the way we now communicate, socialize, efficient as compared to electronic transmit, receive, and switching functions manage our lives and fundamentally alternatives when the transmission are handled, especially in terms of next- interact. Today, smartphones and countless length and bandwidth increase. As the generation Ethernet speeds. In addition, other devices allow us to capture, create need for higher data transfer speeds at as 5G ramps, high-speed interconnect and communicate enormous amounts of greater baud rate and lower power levels between data centers and small cells will content. The explosion in data, storage intensifies, the trend is for optics to also come into play. These roadmaps and information distribution is driving move closer to the die. Optoelectronic will fuel multi-fiber waveguide-to-chip extraordinary growth in internet traffic interconnect is now being designed interconnect solutions, laser development, and cloud services.
    [Show full text]
  • Merging Photonics and Artificial Intelligence at the Nanoscale
    Intelligent Nanophotonics: Merging Photonics and Artificial Intelligence at the Nanoscale Kan Yao1,2, Rohit Unni2 and Yuebing Zheng1,2,* 1Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA 2Texas Materials Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract: Nanophotonics has been an active research field over the past two decades, triggered by the rising interests in exploring new physics and technologies with light at the nanoscale. As the demands of performance and integration level keep increasing, the design and optimization of nanophotonic devices become computationally expensive and time-inefficient. Advanced computational methods and artificial intelligence, especially its subfield of machine learning, have led to revolutionary development in many applications, such as web searches, computer vision, and speech/image recognition. The complex models and algorithms help to exploit the enormous parameter space in a highly efficient way. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on the emerging field where nanophotonics and machine learning blend. We provide an overview of different computational methods, with the focus on deep learning, for the nanophotonic inverse design. The implementation of deep neural networks with photonic platforms is also discussed. This review aims at sketching an illustration of the nanophotonic design with machine learning and giving a perspective on the future tasks. Keywords: deep learning; (nano)photonic neural networks; inverse design; optimization. 1. Introduction Nanophotonics studies light and its interactions with matters at the nanoscale [1]. Over the past decades, it has received rapidly growing interest and become an active research field that involves both fundamental studies and numerous applications [2,3].
    [Show full text]
  • Experimental Photonics Multiple Post-Doctoral Positions Experimental Expertise in Any One of the Following Topics/Areas Is Highly Desired
    Experimental Photonics Multiple Post-Doctoral Positions Experimental Expertise in any one of the following topics/areas is highly desired . Single photon level measurements , quantum communications . Computational imaging, super-resolution imaging, biomedical imaging . Quantum dots, 2D materials, quantum devices, quantum transport . Single molecule spectroscopy/imaging . Fluorescence microscopy . Optical manipulation of spin , ODMR, Magnetometry, NV centers . Nanofabication (Metasurfaces, plasmonics,silicon photonics) . Streak camera or time-correlated single photon counting experiments . Ultrafast spectroscopy, pump-probe measurements . Single nanoparticle/nanoantenna experiments . Coupling of single quantum emitters to nanophotonic structures . Cold atoms and quantum optics . Infrared spectroscopy, thermal emission measurements Please send your full CV and three representative publications to: [email protected] Prof. Zubin Jacob Birck Nanotechnology Center School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Purdue University, U.S.A. www.electrodynamics.org Zubin Jacob Research Group: Purdue University www.electrodynamics.org About the group Google Scholar Page: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?user=8FXvN_EAAAAJ&hl=en Main Research Areas: Casimir forces, quantum nanophotonics, plasmonics, metamaterials, Vacuum fluctuations, open quantum systems Weblink: www.electrodynamics.org Theory and Experiment Twitter: twitter.com/zjacob_group • Opportunity to closely interact with theorists and experimentalists within the group • Opportunity to travel
    [Show full text]
  • Computer Engineering, Minor (Behrend) 1
    Computer Engineering, Minor (Behrend) 1 COMPUTER ENGINEERING, MINOR (BEHREND) Requirements for a minor may be completed at any campus location offering the specified courses for the minor. Students may not change from a campus that offers their major to a campus that does not offer their major for the purpose of completing a minor. Program Description This program of study provides graduates with a strong background in computer engineering. Upon completion of the minor, graduates will have developed an understanding of the operation and design of computers. This objective is accomplished through a combination of classroom study, computer-related projects, and laboratory experience. Analysis and design of computer hardware and software systems are stressed. The program requires completion of mandatory courses in analog and digital circuits, microprocessors, transistor logic, and computer programming. Students complete the minor by selecting technical electives in computer hardware and software engineering. What is Computer Engineering? Computer engineering is the study of the design, analysis, and implementation of computer systems including processors, memory, embedded devices, and data communication systems for a wide range of application domains. It includes the study of digital systems, computer architecture, and computer networks. It encompasses many design activities spanning from designing individual logic components to designing complete computer systems composed of hardware, software, and hardware-software co-design. Computer engineering drives the development of new computing systems that enable the latest technologies impacting our everyday lives. You Might Like This Program If... • You want to add computing expertise to a more general engineering major program. • You enjoy working with both hardware and software..
    [Show full text]
  • Is EE Right for You?
    Erik Jonsson School of Engggineering and The Un ivers ity o f Texas a t Da llas Computer Science Is EE Right for You? • “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” • Now that you are here, diii?id you make the right choice? • Electrical engineering is a challenging and satisfying profession. That does not mean it is easy. In fact, with the possible exceptions of medicine or law, it is the MOST difficult. • There are some things you need to consider if you really, really want to be an engineer. • We will consider a few today. EE 1202 Lecture #1 – Why Electrical Engineering? 1 © N. B. Dodge 01/12 Erik Jonsson School of Engggineering and The Un ivers ity o f Texas a t Da llas Computer Science Is EE Right for You (2)? • Why did you decide to be an electrical engineer? – Parents will pay for engineering education (it’s what they want). – You like math and science. – A relative is an engineer and you like him/her. – You want to challenge yourself, and engineering seems challenging. – You think you are creative and love technology. – You want to make a difference in society . EE 1202 Lecture #1 – Why Electrical Engineering? 2 © N. B. Dodge 01/12 Erik Jonsson School of Engggineering and The Un ivers ity o f Texas a t Da llas Computer Science The High School “Science Student” Problem • In high school, you were FAR above the average. – And you probably didn’t study too hard, right? • You liked science and math, and they weren’t terribly hard.
    [Show full text]
  • Electrical Engineering Technology
    Electrical Engineering Technology Electrical Engineering Program Accreditation The Electrical Engineering Technology program at Central Piedmont is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission Technology (TAC) of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). The Associate in Applied Science degree in Electrical Engineering How to Apply: Technology has been specifically designed to prepare individuals to Complete a Central Piedmont admissions application through Get become advanced technicians in the workforce. Started on the Central Piedmont website. Electrical Engineering Technicians (Associates degree holders) typically build, install, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and Contact Information production electronic components, equipment, and systems such as For questions about the program or for assistance as a student in the industrial/computer controls, manufacturing systems, instrumentation program, contact faculty advising. The Electrical Engineering Technology systems, communication systems, and power electronic systems. program is in the Engineering Technology Division. For additional information, visit the Electrical Engineering Technology website or call the A broad-based core of courses ensures that students develop the skills Program Chair at 704.330.6773. necessary to perform entry-level tasks. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to think critically, analyze, and troubleshoot electronic systems. General Education Requirements Beginning with electrical fundamentals, course work progressively ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry 3.0 introduces electronics, 2D Computer Aided Design (CAD), circuit Select one of the following: 3.0 simulation, solid-state fundamentals, digital concepts, instrumentation, C++ programming, microprocessors, programmable Logic Controllers ENG 112 Writing and Research in the Disciplines (PLCs). Other course work includes the study of various fields associated ENG 113 Literature-Based Research with the electrical/electronic industry.
    [Show full text]
  • Photonics Engineer
    Photonics Engineer Antelope company Antelope DX develops a point-of-need diagnostic platform that allows consumers and healthcare professionals to have on-the-spot access to key health parameters. The Antelope technology aims to offer clinical lab performance with the ease-of-use of a pregnancy test at a consumer price tag. The platform is based on an innovative lab-on-chip technology that can perform a sensitive test on any bodily fluid, without requiring complex user operations or sample preparation. Role The Antelope Photonics Engineer is responsible for the design & development of the silicon photonic chip, located inside the Antelope consumable. He/she will also contribute largely to the optics and photonics aspects of associated hardware such as the Antelope reader. He/she will need to perform these product developments in a way that is compatible to IVD industry standards, including the generation of associated documentation. Responsibilities and duties • Photonics design & optimization of the sensing circuits. • Set up an optical/photonic system model to better predict and understand deviations from the norm by e.g. manufacturing tolerances. • Setting up characterisation, verification and QC equipment and methodologies for the photonic wafers & chips. • Support the design of the optical components of the read-out system. • Support the developmentt of the algorithmic framework that processes the optical signals to a diagnostic answer. • Support the development of R&D tools & methodologies from a system perspective to increase R&D efficiency, throughput and data generation. • Support the improvement of the R&D experimental setups, used to generate assay results. • Setting up testing and verification planning.
    [Show full text]
  • Computer Engineering
    Suggested Course Plan for a UC Riverside Major in COMPUTER ENGINEERING Catalog Year: 2020 Fall Quarter Units Winter Quarter Units Spring Quarter Units To earn a B.S., you must complete all FIRST YEAR College and University requirements. For CS 010A 4 CS 010B 4 CS 010C 4 a complete list: catalog.ucr.edu. C++ Programming I C++ Programming II Intro to Data Struc. & Algorithms ENGLISH COMPOSITION* ENGL 001A 4 ENGL 001B 4 MATH 009C 4 A C or better is required in three quarters of Beginning Composition Intermediate Composition First Year Calculus English Composition courses to satisfy the ENGR 001G 1 MATH 009B 4 MATH/CS 011 4 graduation requirement. ENGR 180W fulfills Professional Dev. & Mentoring First Year Calculus Intro to Discrete Structures the third quarter of English Composition. MATH 009A 4 PHYS 040A 5 PHYS 040B 5 BREADTH REQUIREMENTS First Year Calculus Physics (Mechanics) Physics (Heat/Waves/Sound) For an approved list of Breadth courses: SECOND YEAR http://student.engr.ucr.edu/policies/req CS 061 4 CS 111 4 CS 100 4 uirements/breadth.html. Machine Org. & Assembly Lang. Prog. Discrete Structures Software Construction Humanities: (3 courses) EE 001A & EE 01LA 4 EE 001B 4 CS/EE 120B 4 A. World History: _________ Engineering Circuit Analysis I and Lab Engineering Circuit Analysis II and Lab Embedded Systems B. Fine Arts, Lit., Phil. or Rlst:_________ MATH 046 4 EE/CS 120A 5 EE 020 4 C. Human Persp. on Science:_________ Differential Equations Logic Design Linear Methods for Engr. Analysis Social Sciences: (3 courses) PHYS 040C 5 CHEM 001A/LA or ME 10 4 MATH 010A 4 A.
    [Show full text]
  • Computer Engineering
    COMPUTER ENGINEERING Curriculum and Prerequisites for the Bachelor of Science Degree FRESHMAN SOPHOMORE JUNIOR SENIOR CUM GPA CUM FALL SPRING FALL SPRING FALL SPRING FALL SPRING SEM GPA SEM Chemistry for Engineers General Linear Professional Thermal General Physics II Systems Senior Ethics Systems 3.5CHEM 1050 Physics I Circuits Seminar EGEE 3110 EGGN 3110 EGGN 4010 PHYS 2120 3 Calculus I 0 PHYS 2110 3 . 4 4 Differential EGME 3170 Equations 2 EGEE5 2010 Electronics Calculus II I MATH 1710 MATH 2740 5 EGEE 3210H 3 Discrete Technical Technical Technical MATH 1720 Math & 3 5 Probability Elective Elective Elective The MATH 2520 3 3 3 Engingeering 3 Advanced Profession Engineering Statics & Computer Graphics Dynamics Advanced Digital Architecture EGGN 1110 Logic EGME 1810 EGME 2570 1 Design EGCP 4210 1 3. 3 Micro- Digital Logic EGCP 3010H Design controllers 3 Computer Computer Engineering Engineering Computer Senior Senior EGCP 2120 EGCP3 1010 Architecture 3 Design I Design II C++ Algorithms Program- EGCP 3210H ming 3 EGCP 4810 EGCP 4820 Object Data 4 4 Oriented Structures CS3 3410 Design using JAVA CS 1210 Operating 2 with C++ Computer 3CS 2210 Systems Networks 3CS 1220 3CS 3310 EGCP43103 ENGINEERING ELECTIVES CS ELECTIVES 3350 Found. of Comp. Security EGCP 4110 Dig. Sig. Proc. 3510 Compiler Theory & Prac EGCP 4250 CMOS VLSI Design EGCP 4410 Parallel Comp. Prerequisite on left 3610 Database Org & Design Credit Honors Course 4220 Web Applications Interchangeable 4710 Computer Graphics . Corequesite Course 3hours Hcourse with lab Bible Courses The Bible Old Testa- New Theology I Theology II FromFrom the the OfficeOffice ofof TheThe DeanChair and the ment Testament School ofThe Engineering Elmer W.
    [Show full text]
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering: Past, Present, and Future
    Electrical and Computer Engineering: Past, Present, and Future Randy Berry1, chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering The field of electrical and computer engineering (ECE) has had an enormously successful history. This field has pushed the frontiers of fundamental research, led to the emergence of entirely new disciplines, and revolutionized our daily lives. ECE departments2 are found in nearly every engineering school and have historically been one of the larger departments both in terms of faculty and student enrollments. Academically, a strong ECE department is highly correlated with the reputation of an engineering school. Of the top 10 engineering schools in the latest US News and World Report rankings of graduate programs, nine have top 10 ranked ECE programs. Nevertheless, ECE is a field that finds itself facing challenges. In this paper, we will look to the field’s past issues and note how the field repeatedly reinvented itself to push to new heights. Finally, we argue that the time is ripe for another reinvention and show how aspects of such a reinvention are already emerging. Areas such as machine learning and data science, the Internet of things, and quantum information systems provide promising directions for ECE — and embracing them provides a path to a bright future. The Present Situation In many ways, ECE is a victim of its own successes. Advances such as computer-aided design tools reduce the number of designers needed. The increased integration reflected in Moore’s law means that more functionality can be integrated into a single integrated circuit (IC), replacing the need for engineering to integrate multiple components in custom designs.
    [Show full text]
  • Illuminating the History and Expanding Photonics Education
    Illuminating the History and Expanding Photonics Education An Interactive Qualifying Project submitted to the Faculty of WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science by Nicholas Marshall Brandon McLaughlin Date: 2nd June 2020 Report Submitted to: Worcester Polytechnic Institute Quinsigamond Community College Professor Douglas Petkie Worcester Polytechnic Institute This report represents work of WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its web site without editorial or peer review. For more information about the projects program at WPI, see http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Projects. ​ Abstract Photonics today is on the cusp of revolutionizing computing, just as it has already revolutionized communication, and becoming to this century what electricity was to the last (Sala, 2016). As the manifestation of mankind's millenia-spanning obsession with light, photonics evolved from optics, which itself developed over the long course of human history. That development has accelerated in the last several centuries, and today optics and photonics act as enablers for a variety of fields from biology to communication. Even so, most people don’t know just how essential optics and photonics are, and today those fields face a major staffing shortage. Most people don’t even know the basic principles of light’s behavior, with few formal education programs that focus on optics and photonics. In order to combat this, various initiatives have strived to drum up more interest in optics and photonics, with several focusing on pre-college age groups in order to get students involved sooner.
    [Show full text]