Dr. Thomas E. Dillon Profile

Dr. Thomas E. Dillon

at Phase Sensitive Innovations Inc

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (34)

Proceedings Article | 21 August 2018 Presentation + Paper

Presentation + Paper

High-contrast imager for complex aperture telescopes (HiCAT): 5. first results with segmented-aperture coronagraph and wavefront control

Rémi Soummer, Gregory Brady, Keira Brooks, Thomas Comeau, Élodie Choquet, Tom Dillon, Sylvain Egron, Rob Gontrum, John Hagopian, Iva Laginja, Lucie Leboulleux, Marshall Perrin, Peter Petrone, Laurent Pueyo, Johan Mazoyer, Mamadou N'Diaye, A. J. Eldorado Riggs, Ron Shiri, Anand Sivaramakrishnan, Kathryn St. Laurent, Ana-Maria Valenzuela, Neil Zimmerman

Proceedings Volume 10698, 106981O (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314110

KEYWORDS: Coronagraphy, Space telescopes, Wavefronts, Telescopes, Metrology, Phase retrieval, Carbon nanotubes

Read Abstract +

Segmented telescopes are a possible approach to enable large-aperture space telescopes for the direct imaging and spectroscopy of habitable worlds. However, the increased complexity of their aperture geometry, due to the central obstruction, support structures and segment gaps, makes high-contrast imaging very challenging. The High-contrast imager for Complex Aperture Telescopes (HiCAT) testbed was designed to study and develop solutions for such telescope pupils using wavefront control and coronagraphic starlight suppression. The testbed design has the flexibility to enable studies with increasing complexity for telescope aperture geometries starting with off-axis telescopes, then on-axis telescopes with central obstruction and support structures - e.g. the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) - up to on-axis segmented telescopes, including various concepts for a Large UV, Optical, IR telescope (LUVOIR). In the past year, HiCAT has made significant hardware and software updates in order to accelerate the development of the project. In addition to completely overhauling the software that runs the testbed, we have completed several hardware upgrades, including the second and third deformable mirror, and the first custom Apodized Pupil Lyot Coronagraph (APLC) optimized for the HiCAT aperture, which is similar to one of the possible geometries considered for LUVOIR. The testbed also includes several external metrology features for rapid replacement of parts, and in particular the ability to test multiple apodizers readily, an active tip-tilt control system to compensate for local vibration and air turbulence in the enclosure. On the software and operations side, the software infrastructure enables 24/7 automated experiments that include routine calibration tasks and high-contrast experiments. In this communication we present an overview and status update of the project, both on the hardware and software side, and describe the results obtained with APLC wavefront control.

Proceedings Article | 15 May 2018 Paper

Paper

High fill factor RF aperture arrays for improved passive, real-time millimeter wave imaging

Thomas Dillon, Christopher Schuetz, Daniel Mackrides, Andrew Wright, Kevin Shreve, Charles Harrity, Stephen Kocazik, Shouyuan Shi, Peng Yao, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 10642, 106420U (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2304869

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Imaging systems, Sensors, Point spread functions, Upconversion, Driver's vision enhancers, Diffraction, Signal attenuation, Receivers, Millimeter wave imaging

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Proceedings Article | 1 September 2017 Paper

Paper

Segmented Aperture Interferometric Nulling Testbed (SAINT) II: component systems update

Brian Hicks, Matthew Bolcar, Michael Helmbrecht, Peter Petrone, Elliot Burke, James Corsetti, Thomas Dillon, Andrew Lea, Samuel Pellicori, Teresa Sheets, Ron Shiri, Jack Agolli, John DeVries, Andrew Eberhardt, Tyler McCabe

Proceedings Volume 10400, 104001I (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2273905

KEYWORDS: Interferometry, Imaging systems, Image segmentation, Segmented mirrors, Control systems, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Wavefronts, Nulling interferometry, Wavefront sensors

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 12 May 2016 Paper

Paper

Module integration and amplifier design optimization for optically enabled passive millimeter-wave imaging

Andrew Wright, Richard Martin, Christopher Schuetz, Shouyuan Shi, Yifei Zhang, Peng Yao, Kevin Shreve, Thomas Dillon, Daniel Mackrides, Charles Harrity, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 9830, 98300C (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2229088

KEYWORDS: Optical amplifiers, Imaging systems, Amplifiers, Receivers, Imaging systems, Optical amplifiers, Liquid crystals, Polymers, Upconversion, Digital electronics, Signal attenuation, Antennas

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Proceedings Article | 21 May 2015 Paper

Paper

Passive, real-time millimeter wave imaging for degraded visual environment mitigation

Thomas Dillon, Christopher Schuetz, Richard Martin, Daniel Mackrides, Shouyuan Shi, Peng Yao, Kevin Shreve, Charles Harrity, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 9471, 947103 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2177356

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Imaging systems, Sensors, Signal attenuation, Millimeter wave imaging, Visualization, Upconversion, Driver's vision enhancers, Signal detection, Image processing

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Proceedings Article | 19 May 2015 Paper

Paper

Real-time image processing for passive mmW imagery

Stephen Kozacik, Aaron Paolini, James Bonnett, Charles Harrity, Daniel Mackrides, Thomas Dillon, Richard Martin, Christopher Schuetz, Eric Kelmelis, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 9462, 94620L (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2177395

KEYWORDS: Extremely high frequency, Signal to noise ratio, Imaging systems, Visible radiation, Photonics, Fiber optic gyroscopes, Image resolution, Infrared imaging, Image processing, Video acceleration

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Proceedings Article | 19 May 2015 Paper

Paper

Video rate passive millimeter-wave imager utilizing optical upconversion with improved size, weight, and power

Richard Martin, Shouyuan Shi, Yifei Zhang, Andrew Wright, Peng Yao, Kevin Shreve, Christopher Schuetz, Thomas Dillon, Daniel Mackrides, Charles Harrity, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 9462, 946209 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2177133

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Upconversion, Optical amplifiers, Extremely high frequency, Antennas, Waveguides, Video, Packaging, Liquid crystals, Polymers

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Proceedings Article | 31 May 2013 Paper

Paper

Realization of a video-rate distributed aperture millimeter-wave imaging system using optical upconversion

Christopher Schuetz, Richard Martin, Thomas Dillon, Peng Yao, Daniel Mackrides, Charles Harrity, Alicia Zablocki, Kevin Shreve, James Bonnett, Petersen Curt, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 8715, 87150I (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2016138

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Upconversion, Extremely high frequency, Antennas, Sensors, Image processing, Near field optics, Cameras, Optical scanning systems, Control systems

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SPIE Journal Paper | 15 May 2012

Display of polarization information for passive millimeter-wave imagery

John Wilson, David Eng, Stephen Kozacik, Dennis Prather, Christopher Schuetz, Thomas Dillon

OE, Vol. 51, Issue 9, 091607, (May 2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.51.9.091607

KEYWORDS: Polarization, Extremely high frequency, Image fusion, Sensors, Metals, Imaging systems, Millimeter wave sensors, Visible radiation, Image sensors, Optical engineering

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Proceedings Article | 9 May 2012 Paper

Paper

Polarimetric passive millimeter-wave imagery from a sensor based on an optical up-conversion architecture

John Wilson, Christopher Schuetz, Thomas Dillon, Richard Martin, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 8362, 83620A (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.919425

KEYWORDS: Polarization, Sensors, Modulators, Polarimetry, Extremely high frequency, Passive millimeter wave sensors, Calibration, Image sensors, Antennas, Linear polarizers

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Proceedings Article | 29 February 2012 Paper

Paper

System modeling of passive millimeter wave imager based on optical up-conversion

Shouyuan Shi, Christopher Schuetz, Rick Martin, Tom Dillon, Peng Yao, Janusz Murakowski, Garrett Schneider, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 8255, 82551O (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.914312

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Extremely high frequency, Antennas, Mathematical modeling, Electro optical modeling, Systems modeling, Performance modeling, Modulators, Channel projecting optics, Integrated optics

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Proceedings Article | 13 October 2011 Paper

Paper

Design of a distributed aperture millimeter-wave imaging system for "see-through" imaging in rotary craft induced degraded visual environments

Richard Martin, Christopher Schuetz, Thomas Dillon, Daniel Mackrides, Peng Yao, Shouyuan Shi, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 8188, 818806 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.899388

KEYWORDS: Signal attenuation, Clouds, Particles, Imaging systems, Mie scattering, Scattering, Atmospheric modeling, Driver's vision enhancers, Extremely high frequency, Visualization

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Proceedings Article | 5 October 2011 Paper

Paper

Nonmechanical beam steering using optical phased arrays

Thomas Dillon, Christopher Schuetz, Richard Martin, Daniel Mackrides, Petersen Curt, James Bonnett, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 8184, 81840F (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.898356

KEYWORDS: Beam steering, Phased array optics, Optical fibers, Optical arrays, Microlens array, Mode locking, Beam shaping, Channel projecting optics, Modulators, Point spread functions

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Proceedings Article | 26 May 2011 Paper

Paper

Progress toward a video-rate, passive millimeter-wave imager for brownout mitigation

Daniel Mackrides, Christopher Schuetz, Richard Martin, Thomas Dillon, Peng Yao, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 8022, 802203 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.884164

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Antennas, Microlens array, Clouds, Electronics, Receivers, Field programmable gate arrays, Sensors, Optical fibers, Silicon

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Proceedings Article | 23 May 2011 Paper

Paper

Threat detection in desert environment with passive millimeter-wave sensor

John Wilson, Christopher Schuetz, Richard Martin, Thomas Dillon, Maciej Murakowski, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 8017, 80170I (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.882929

KEYWORDS: Improvised explosive devices, Foam, Sensors, Extremely high frequency, Millimeter wave sensors, Signal detection, Metals, Explosives, Polarization, Environmental sensing

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Proceedings Article | 21 February 2011 Paper

Paper

Design of a millimeter-wave full-Stokes polarimeter utilizing optical up-conversion

John Wilson, Christopher Schuetz, Richard Martin, Thomas Dillon, Peng Yao, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 7936, 79360I (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.875387

KEYWORDS: Polarization, Polarimetry, Extremely high frequency, Modulators, Sensors, Wave plates, Linear polarizers, Mode locking, Phase shifts, Passive millimeter wave sensors

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Proceedings Article | 12 October 2010 Paper

Paper

Passive millimeter wave imaging using a distributed aperture and optical upconversion

Thomas Dillon, Christopher Schuetz, Richard Martin, Shouyuan Shi, Daniel Mackrides, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 7837, 78370H (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.865081

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Antennas, Extremely high frequency, Staring arrays, Sensors, Upconversion, Calibration, Modulators, Passive millimeter wave imaging, Fringe analysis

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Proceedings Article | 24 September 2009 Paper

Paper

Studies of millimeter-wave phenomenology for helicopter brownout mitigation

Christopher Schuetz, E. Lee Stein, Jesse Samluk, Daniel Mackrides, John Wilson, Richard Martin, Thomas Dillon, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 7485, 74850F (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.830480

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Calibration, Sensors, Temperature metrology, Data modeling, Visualization, Antennas, Polarization, Absorption, Data acquisition

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Proceedings Article | 24 September 2009 Paper

Paper

Optical configuration of an upconverted millimeter-wave distributed aperture imaging system

Thomas Dillon, Christopher Schuetz, Richard Martin, E. Lee Stein, Jesse Samluk, Daniel Mackrides, Mark Mirotznik, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 7485, 74850G (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.830493

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Optical filters, Extremely high frequency, Etching, Antennas, Image filtering, Point spread functions, Microlens array, Fourier transforms, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 5 May 2009 Paper

Paper

Design and performance of a distributed aperture millimeter-wave imaging system using optical upconversion

Richard Martin, Christopher Schuetz, Thomas Dillon, Caihua Chen, Jesse Samluk, E. Lee Stein, Mark Mirotznik, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 7309, 730908 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.818858

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Extremely high frequency, Point spread functions, Sensors, Upconversion, Antennas, Spatial resolution, Diffraction, Millimeter wave imaging, Image resolution

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 4 April 2008 Paper

Paper

Processing and modeling optimization for grayscale lithography

Thomas Dillon, Mathew Zablocki, Janusz Murakowski, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 6923, 69233B (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.773213

KEYWORDS: Photoresist materials, Photomasks, Photoresist developing, Lithography, Absorbance, Etching, Grayscale lithography, Picture Archiving and Communication System, Glasses, Process modeling

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Proceedings Article | 26 February 2008 Paper

Paper

Micromachining of a fiber-to-waveguide coupler using grayscale lithography and through-wafer etch

Thomas Dillon, Mathew Zablocki, Shouyan Shi, Janusz Murakowski, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 6882, 688206 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.764036

KEYWORDS: Etching, Mirrors, Optical fibers, Waveguides, Semiconducting wafers, Photoresist materials, Silicon, Photomasks, Glasses, Polarization

Read Abstract +

For some time, the micro-optics and photonics fields have relied on fabrication processes and technology borrowed from the well-established silicon integrated circuit industry. However, new fabrication methodologies must be developed for greater flexibility in the machining of micro-optic devices. To this end, we have explored grayscale lithography as an enabler for the realization of such devices. This process delivers the ability to sculpt materials arbitrarily in three dimensions, thus providing the flexibility to realize optical surfaces to shape, transform, and redirect the propagation of light efficiently. This has opened the door for new classes of optical devices. As such, we present a fiber-to-waveguide coupling structure utilizing a smoothly contoured lensing surface in the device layer of a silicon-on insulator (SOI) wafer, fabricated using grayscale lithography. The structure collects light incident normally to the wafer from a singlemode optical fiber plugged through the back surface and turns the light into the plane of the device layer, focusing it into a single-mode waveguide. The basis of operation is total internal reflection, and the device therefore has the potential advantages of providing a large bandwidth, low polarization sensitivity, high efficiency, and small footprint. The structure was optimized with a simulated annealing algorithm in conjunction with two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation accelerated on the graphics processing unit (GPU), and achieves a theoretical efficiency of approximately seventy percent, including losses due to Fresnel reflection from the oxide/silicon interface. Initial fabrication results validate the principle of operation. We discuss the grayscale fabrication process as well as the through-wafer etch for mechanical stabilization and alignment of the optical fiber to the coupling structure. Refinement of the through-wafer etch process for high etch rate and appropriate sidewall taper are addressed.

Proceedings Article | 9 February 2007 Paper

Paper

Efficient fiber to waveguide coupling structure for optical systems integration using grayscale lithography

Thomas Dillon, Caihua Chen, Janusz Murakowski, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 6478, 64780O (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.701150

KEYWORDS: Waveguides, Silicon, Absorbance, Etching, Photomasks, Glasses, Grayscale lithography, Silicon photonics, Fiber couplers, Calibration

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Proceedings Article | 31 August 2006 Paper

Paper

Microlens fabrication using HEBS glass for compact high-resolution IR imaging system

Thomas Dillon, Elton Marchena, Caihua Chen, David Brady, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 6327, 63270B (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681222

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Photomasks, Etching, Glasses, Absorbance, Optical components, Lithography, Infrared imaging, Silicon, Image resolution

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Proceedings Article | 31 August 2006 Paper

Paper

A novel nano-probe design in silicon and gallium-based alloys using photonic crystals

Thomas Dillon, Rick Martin, Shouyuan Shi, Ahmed Sharkawy, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 6327, 63270H (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681077

KEYWORDS: Photonic crystals, Etching, Silicon, Gallium nitride, Waveguides, Near field scanning optical microscopy, Near field, Near field optics, Nanolithography, Electron beam lithography

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Proceedings Article | 1 March 2006 Paper

Paper

Ultrahigh resolution photonic crystal nanoprobe for high-density optical data storage, near-field microscopy, and nanolithography systems

Ahmed Sharkawy, Greg Bermnhan, Shouyuan Shi, Thomas Dillion, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 6128, 61281R (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.646070

KEYWORDS: Near field scanning optical microscopy, Optical microscopy, Near field optics, Microscopy, Photonic crystals, Applied physics, Near field, Nanolithography, Waveguides, Optical storage

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 28 February 2006 Paper

Paper

Progress toward optical interconnects for intrachip global communication

Michael Haney, Muzammil Iqbal, Michael McFadden, Thomas Dillon, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 6126, 61260A (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.661293

KEYWORDS: Optical interconnects, Metals, Modulators, Silicon, Free space optics, Logic, Waveguides, Prisms, Optical communications, Clocks

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 September 2005

Integrated micro-optical multichip module based on an uncooled InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb photodetector

Saurabh Lohokare, Oleg Sulima, Thomas Dillon, Dennis Prather

OE, Vol. 44, Issue 09, 094401, (September 2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.2055370

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Diffractive optical elements, Indium gallium arsenide antimonide, Photodetectors, Glasses, Adhesives, Prototyping, Photoresist materials, Optical engineering, Avalanche photodetectors

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SPIE Journal Paper | 1 November 2004

10-Gbytes/s, three-dimensional parallel optical interconnects using a novel conductive polymer flip-chip process

Saurabh Lohokare, Christopher Schuetz, Zhaolin Lu, Thomas Dillon, Anita Sure, Dennis Prather

OE, Vol. 43, Issue 11, (November 2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.1803555

KEYWORDS: Polymers, Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers, Diffractive optical elements, Optical interconnects, Glasses, System integration, Optical lithography, Photomasks, Polishing, Semiconducting wafers

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 1 October 2004

Continuous-tone grayscale mask fabrication using high-energy-beam-sensitive glass

Thomas Dillon, Anita Sure, Janusz Murakowski, Dennis Prather

JM3, Vol. 3, Issue 04, (October 2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.1793156

KEYWORDS: Absorbance, Glasses, Photomasks, Lithography, Photoresist processing, Photoresist materials, Mask making, Optical lithography, Etching, Calibration

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Proceedings Article | 1 July 2004 Paper

Paper

Integrated micro-optical multichip module based on uncooled InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb detector for noninvasive glucose monitoring using NIR absorption spectroscopy

Saurabh Lohokare, Dennis Prather, Thomas Dillon, Anita Sure, Oleg Sulima, Jeffery Cox, Michael Mauk

Proceedings Volume 5321, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.526146

KEYWORDS: Avalanche photodetectors, Antimony, Gallium, Glucose, Indium gallium arsenide antimonide, Diffractive optical elements, Polymers, Zinc, Aluminum, Diffusion

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 3 November 2003 Paper

Paper

Process development and application of grayscale lithography for efficient three-dimensionally profiled fiber-to-waveguide couplers

Thomas Dillon, Anita Sure, Janusz Murakowski, Dennis Prather

Proceedings Volume 5183, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.505834

KEYWORDS: Photomasks, Waveguides, Lithography, Glasses, Grayscale lithography, Etching, Fabrication, Calibration, Absorbance, Fiber couplers

Read Abstract +

SPIE Journal Paper | 1 October 2003

High fill-factor avalanche photodetectors for near-infrared free-space photonic networks

Saurabh Lohokare, Dennis Prather, Thomas Dillon, Anita Sure, Oleg Sulima, Jeffery Cox, Michael Mauk

JM3, Vol. 2, Issue 04, (October 2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.1607967

KEYWORDS: Avalanche photodetectors, Gallium, Antimony, Diffractive optical elements, Polymers, Aluminum, Zinc, Diffusion, Indium gallium arsenide antimonide, Resistance

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 17 January 2003 Paper

Paper

Novel fabrication methods for 2D photonic crystals in silicon slab waveguides

Dennis Prather, Janusz Murakowski, Sriram Venkataraman, Yao Peng, Anita Balcha, Thomas Dillon, David Pustai

Proceedings Volume 4984, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.477850

KEYWORDS: Silicon, Etching, Waveguides, Polymethylmethacrylate, Semiconducting wafers, Photomasks, Photonic crystals, Reactive ion etching, Absorbance, Dry etching

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Showing 5 of 34 publications

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