Mohammadamin Mahdian
Ph.D. PreliminaryOct 10, 2025, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
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Silicon Photonic Devices and Architectures for Secure, Scalable, and Energy-Efficient Optical Communication in AI and Chiplet Systems
Abstract: This dissertation explores how silicon photonics—the use of light instead of electrical signals on chips—can enable faster, more efficient, and more secure computing. New optical devices are developed to improve information filtering, switching, and protection against security threats. Power-aware control methods are introduced to reduce energy use and maintain reliability despite manufacturing imperfections. Building on these advances, a chiplet-based architecture is proposed that links many smaller chips with light, cutting communication delays and energy costs. Together, these contributions demonstrate how silicon photonics can overcome current computing limits and support the secure, high-performance systems required for artificial intelligence and future technologies.
Adviser: Mahdi Nikdast
Co-Adviser: N/A
Non-ECE Member: Yashwant Malaiya, Computer Science
Member 3: Sudeep Pasricha, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Addional Members: Kaveh Rahbardar Mojaver, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Co-Adviser: N/A
Non-ECE Member: Yashwant Malaiya, Computer Science
Member 3: Sudeep Pasricha, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Addional Members: Kaveh Rahbardar Mojaver, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Publications:
Mahdian, M. A., Taheri, E., & Nikdast, M. (2025). A comprehensive survey on integrated photonic switch fabrics: From device to network topology and controller design. IEEE Access.
Mahdian, M. A., Taheri, E., & Nikdast, M. (2024). SiPhAI: A reconfigurable silicon photonic interposer network for AI acceleration. In IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC) (pp. 1–2). IEEE.
Mahdian, M. A., Taheri, E., Rahbardar Mojaver, K., & Nikdast, M. (2024). Hardware assurance with silicon photonic physical unclonable functions. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 25591. Nature Publishing Group UK.
Mahdian, M. A., Taheri, E., Mojaver, K. H. R., & Nikdast, M. (2024). Photonic physically unclonable functions using ring-assisted contra-directional couplers. In Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) (Vol. 22, p. W2A). OSA.
Mahdian, M. A., Tunesi, L., Bardella, P., & Nikdast, M. (2023). Bandwidth-adaptive single- and double-channel silicon photonic contra-directional couplers. In IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC). IEEE.
Mahdian, M. A., Taheri, E., & Nikdast, M. (2025). A comprehensive survey on integrated photonic switch fabrics: From device to network topology and controller design. IEEE Access.
Mahdian, M. A., Taheri, E., & Nikdast, M. (2024). SiPhAI: A reconfigurable silicon photonic interposer network for AI acceleration. In IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC) (pp. 1–2). IEEE.
Mahdian, M. A., Taheri, E., Rahbardar Mojaver, K., & Nikdast, M. (2024). Hardware assurance with silicon photonic physical unclonable functions. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 25591. Nature Publishing Group UK.
Mahdian, M. A., Taheri, E., Mojaver, K. H. R., & Nikdast, M. (2024). Photonic physically unclonable functions using ring-assisted contra-directional couplers. In Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) (Vol. 22, p. W2A). OSA.
Mahdian, M. A., Tunesi, L., Bardella, P., & Nikdast, M. (2023). Bandwidth-adaptive single- and double-channel silicon photonic contra-directional couplers. In IEEE Photonics Conference (IPC). IEEE.
Program of Study:
ECE 528
ECE 544
ECE 658
ECE 799
GRAD 550
GRAD 544
ECE 520
ECE 799
ECE 528
ECE 544
ECE 658
ECE 799
GRAD 550
GRAD 544
ECE 520
ECE 799