Biography: Prof. Xiaoguang “Leo” Liu received his Bachelor’s degree from Chu Kochen Honors College, Zhejiang University, in 2004 and PhD degree from Purdue University, USA, in 2010. He was with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Davis, as an assistant professor from 2011 to 2017 and an associate professor from 2017 to 2021. In Mar. 2021, he joined the School of Microelectronics (SME) at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China, as a full professor.
At SUSTech, his research group is investigating various aspects of cutting-edge high-frequency and high-speed circuit and system designs. Examples include novel designs and implementation techniques in microelectronic and photonic devices such as micro-electromechanical (MEMS) devices, high-frequency (RF to THz) integrated circuits, high-speed wireline and optical communications, and high-resolution sensing applications using radar and computer vision principles. He has published over 130 refereed papers in academic journals and conferences. He has advised and co-advised 18 Ph.D. students and 7 postdoctoral scholars.

Title: High Efficiency Millimeter-wave Signal Generation and Future Prospects of Millimeter-wave Applications

Abstract:
In recent years, the millimeter-wave (mMW) and terahertz (THz) frequency bands (30 - 3000 GHz) has (re)emerged as a promising frequency spectrum for a variety of potential applications in wireless communications, remote sensing, security screening, industrial monitoring, biomedical and chemical spectroscopy, to name a few. The current enthusiasm in mmW/THz has largely been promoted by the rapid scaling of modern semiconductor integrated circuit processes, particularly CMOS and SiGe, which promise low barrier-to-entry mmW/THz systems. On the other hand, the aggressive scaling has generally resulted in a lower supply voltage and breakdown voltage, limiting the amount of power that can be generated. In this talk, we will review classical theories and present recent progress in our research group on state-of-the-art mmW/THz signal generation. In particular, we will demonstrate design and optimization strategies for high-efficiency oscillators working close to the maximum oscillation frequency FMAX of the underlying process with record-breaking power and efficiency performances. In addition, we will also discuss the application of these design techniques to high-speed chip-chip interconnect using micromachined dielectric waveguides.