Title: Physical layer considerations and the development of fiber-based magneto-optical switches
Abstract: The limits on data transmission capabilities of communication networks are inherently dependent on the system level implementations at the hardware or physical layer. As an emerging interdisciplinary research area, physical layer considerations offer various research dimensions and possibilities. In this talk, I will give a brief overview of challenges and opportunities in this area. It will be followed by providing an overview of our research in the area of fiber-based optical switching and engineering education.
In the field of optical communications, optical switches and routers are among the fundamental devices that enable large-scale networking. In particular, devices that enable all optical transmission and reduce optical-electrical-optical (OEO) conversions are actively pursued. For optical systems, considerable research effort has been focused on the realization of all-optical transmission. In many cases this has been achieved utilizing electro-optic (EO) and magneto-optic (MO) phenomena in special materials. Our work in this area focuses on research and development of magneto-optical interferometric switches. In this presentation, some of our research and advances in the area of fiber based magneto-optical switching will be presented. Our major findings in achieving faster and more efficient switching will be reviewed. Some of the novel solutions, collaborations, and future possibilities in this and related areas will be discussed.
Speaker Bio: Dr. Mani Mina received his B.S and M.S. in Physics and M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University. After spending six years in industry, he joined the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at Iowa State. Dr. Mina leads the NSF-funded High Speed Systems Engineering Lab. His technical interests lie in fiber-based, magneto-optics switches; high-speed measurement systems; electromagnetics; and other physical layer considerations. He has been working with his graduate students and international-level colleagues in the areas of optical-based, magneto-optic switches. His team has designed and successfully tested low-power, fiber-based, magneto-optic switches and is working on developing an integrated version of the switch for field deployment.
Dr. Mina also has a broad range of teaching experience. He has national and international collaborations in the area of Engineering Education. He is one of the leaders of the American Society for Engineering Education and is known for his unique work on inquiry-based classes for Engineering Education; Technological and Engineering Literacy; and the role of Design in Engineering Education, Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary classes. Dr. Mina’s Spring 2013 seminar class is documented by Professor John Heywood in his book to be published by Morgan and Claypool “The Human Side of Engineering.”
He has served as the Chair of Technological and Engineering Literacy and the Philosophy of Engineering Division of the American Society for Engineering Education since 2013. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the IEEE Education Society; an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions in Magnetics since Spring 2008; and Associate Editor of IEEE transactions in Education, and Materials Evaluation (published by American Society for Nondestructive Testing, ASNT) since Fall 2012. He is also the Editor of “The Interface”, published by the IEEE Education Society.