Electronic Photonic Devices

Micro EP
Facilities: High Density Electronics Center

Located at the Arkansas Research and Technology Park, the University of Arkansas' High Density Electronics Center (HiDEC) is the only working laboratory of its kind in the United States. It has an international reputation in designing state-of-the-art prototypes in:

  • multi-chip module (MCM) technology
  • optical interconnects integrated passives
  • high temperature superconductor
  • thermal management

HiDEC features state of-the-art facilities and equipment including nearly 6,000 square feet of Class 100/1000 clean room space. Within this space, there are six separate areas designated for specific kinds of research and development related to MCMs. These areas are assigned for assembly, metal/oxide deposition and etching, photolithography, deposition and diffusion, laser, and demonstration.

HiDEC is also establishing VLSI capability by adding LPCVD nitride and polysilicon, sub-micron lithography, and ion implantation capability.

HiDEC took the next step to become a global leader in the field of sensor technology with the addition of husband and wife team Vijay and Vasundara "Vasu" Varadan, two world-renowned researchers. Vijay will serve as the Director of HiDEC where he will perform research into biosensors that treat neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Vasu is a distinguished professor of electrical engineering. Her pioneering research work is in complex materials and chirality for device applications with a focus on negative refractive index materials and wideband electrical characterization capabilities.

The High Density Electronics Center is equipped to perform design or analysis activities that are difficult for companies to obtain elsewhere. Teaming staff with faculty and students can often result in a new process technology.

Knowledge Base: MicroEP

Businesses and researchers specializing in Next Generation Electronic Photonic Devices can tap into Microelectronics-Photonics (MicroEP) students and faculty. The University of Arkansas's MicroEP graduate research program features more than 50 of the brightest and most talented microelectronic-photonic students in the nation. The MicorEP program is an interdisciplinary graduate research program designed to develop workplace productivity skills in a simulated industrial environment and to better understand nano-scale research with state-of-the-art equipment.