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Session 1626

PRIDE: Photonics Research in Interdisciplinary Education

M. S. Unlu, M. F. Ruane, B. B. Goldberg, T. D. Moustakas, B. E. A. Saleh, and M. C. Teich Center for Photonics Research, Boston University

Abstract

A new combined research-curriculum development (CRCD) program at Boston University titled Photonics Research in Interdisciplinary Education (PRIDE) is described. The PRIDE program is designed to demonstrate vertically integrated curriculum development by incorporating three levels of modules into a wide range of existing courses. Examples of photonics research and knowledge are molded into mod- ules to enrich standard core, specialized elective and design courses of undergraduate and early graduate curricula. An interdisciplinary faculty team has been formed to develop integrative learning experiences focusing on modern research in photonics as an important and interesting problem area. Modules are based on and demonstrated by recent photonics research, including photonic materials and devices, optical data storage, optical communications, displays and photonics systems. Self-contained applications modules integrate engineering concepts in upper division core. Laboratory practicums provide empirical experiences to supplement photonics electives. Finally, open-ended design cases pose capstone photonics design chal- lenges for teams of students. Our modular implementation of photonics into existing courses represents a significant depart ure from standard curricular development. This approach reduces the barriers to entry for cross-disciplinary education, is inherently transportable while maintaining local flexibility of content, and incorporates photonics research into a wide range of different curricular t epics.

I. Introduction Photonics has many characteristics that make it appropriate for curriculum development. Photonics is important to national competitiveness, offers exciting technical challenges, is neglected in the existing curriculum, and presents a paradigm to address educational challenges in the training of engineers and scientists. Photonics stands where the semiconductor industry was in the late 60’s – entering a time of rapid growth, with broad impacts for society and the economy. The Optoelectronics Industry Development Association (OIDA) released a report 1 detailing that “industry sectors enabled by optoelectronics will grow from approximately $75 billion worldwide today, to more than $230 billion within the next decade, to over $400 billion in twenty years (in constant dollars). The number of jobs worldwide dependent on optoelectronics is expected to grow from several hundred thousand to several million. This is due both to the growth in the overall electronics markets and the expanding role of optoelectronics within the electronics industry.” The report documents that the U. S. is currently lagging in many critical areas of the photonics market explosion. The OIDA report is only a recent echo of concerns first widely stated in 1988 by the National Research Council (NRC).2 The theme of the NRC report is that photonics technology is a market rapidly being ceded to our international competitors. The 1991 report of the National Critical Technologies Pane13 states: “advances in electronic and photonic materials will set the pace of technological progress

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Moustakas, T. D., & Unlu, M. S., & Ruane, M. F., & Teich, M. C., & Saleh, B. E. A., & Goldberg, B. B. (1996, June), Pride: Photonics Research In Interdisciplinary Education Paper presented at 1996 Annual Conference, Washington, District of Columbia. 10.18260/1-2--6246