The University of Illinois-Urbana Engineering Research Center for Compound Semiconductors Microelectronics will focus on the research needed for new optical and electronic concepts, materials, devices, and systems. This research is based upon gallium arsenide and other compound semiconductors that will contribute to the elimination of the interconnection bottlenecks that are beginning to limit the performace of high speed digital systems. Five different research areas have been identified as essential for a successful realization of an optically interconnnected high-speed digital system. The areas, which will form the core research of the Center for Compound Semiconductor Microelectronics, are: (1) Systems Design and Analysis, (2) Transmission Media; (3) Optical and Electronic Devices; (4) Semiconductor Device Theory, and (5) Electronic Materials. A significant number of new graduate students and undergraduates will be involved in the ERC program. The four new faculty positions allocated to the ERC will enable expansion of the graduate curriculum in important areas, such as guided-wave technology. An important feature of the ERC plan is the "Educator-in-Residence" program. Educators from 4-year colleges and other major undergraduate institutions are to be included in the research efforts of the ERC.
