My Attempt at The Starry Night

Pikul, Kevin

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/109779 Copy

Description

Title

My Attempt at The Starry Night

Author(s)

Pikul, Kevin

Issue Date

2021

Keyword(s)

• Small Black Circle
• Laser

Abstract

The fabrication of our Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) begins and ends in the cleanroom in HMNTL. Through simulation we have found the deposition of a dielectric film atop our devices as the last fabrication step enhances laser performance. This process involves depositing a thin film of dielectric material and forming it into isolated dielectric circles (small black circle) surrounded by empty space and bulk dielectric film. To ensure accurate thickness, we run calibration runs where we deposit a film on a blank sample for a certain time and then measure the thickness, after which we correct the deposition time and immediately deposit the film on our real devices. Normally, this film should be dark and homogeneous over the whole sample. However, during this particular process run, many irreproducible bright spots and defects were present, nullifying the calibration run and forcing a restart. This image depicts how as engineers, we work to solve problem after problem until our goals have been reached and this requires persistence and the refusal to give up. The only consistency in conducting research is inconsistency and uncertainty.

Type of Resource

Image

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109779

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2021 Kevin Pikul

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