Introduction

Abstract

Exploration of the world of micro-/nanotechnology, thanks to recent developments, has given an added value to optoelectronics. The main goal of this book is to provide tools and methods for applied research in this specific field. All topics will be connected with each other in the book in order to guide the researcher in the creation of a research platform based on available facilities. A reliable approach to creating an operating platform of research is to combine technological know-how, design, and experimental aspects. All fields communicate by feedback systems. Design represents the first step and starts after a preliminary study of the given device considering the available technology and the final application. Fabrication will introduce new techniques on the basis of innovative materials, and technological optimization will guarantee a standard procedure regarding the final production of the device. Finally, experimentation on and accurate analysis of the measured outputs will round out quality control of the device. Feedback systems are applied to implement devices with well-defined input/output characteristics. The book will provide approaches to the implementation of stable optoelectronic devices where the stability can be verified by the simultaneous agreement of experimental, theoretical, and numerical results. In particular, theoretical tools will define the application and a proper layout of the device, in addition to the numerical results, will provide solutions including the prediction of fabrication errors (analysis of error margins) such as geometrical resolutions and layer thicknesses. Finally, experimental setups and signal processing will complete the research activity. The proposed research platform procedures can be applied to devices such as electromagnetic waveguides, photonic crystals, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), optoelectronic systems, and applied electronics.