
Dr Maryam Khodadadi
Academic and research departments
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Institute for Communication Systems.About
Biography
Dr. Maryam Khodadadi, (Member, IEEE) was born in Tehran, Iran in 1988. She earned her B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in computer engineering and telecommunication engineering from K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, in 2011 and 2015, respectively. She later obtained her Ph.D. in telecommunication engineering from Shiraz University of Technology, Shiraz, Iran, in 2020. From 2020 to 2022, she conducted postdoctoral research on controllable hybrid plasmonic integrated circuits at the Shiraz University of Technology. During this period, she received a research fellowship from the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF). Since 2023, she has held a postdoctoral research associate position at the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS) at the University of Surrey, UK, a home to the 5G and 6G Innovation Centres (5GIC and 6GIC). She has been a member of the IEEE Educational Activities Committee since 2021 and also serves as the Secretary of the Steering Committee for the Electromagnetics and Photonics chapter of the IEEE Iran Section. She became a professional member of IEEE since 2022. She has conducted extensive research in Flexi DAS and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS). Her diverse research interests include hybrid plasmonic nano-antennas, plasmonic devices as logic gates, sensors, metamaterials, absorbers, and nanostructure modeling and analysis. Her research interests span over a broad range of areas include the development of plasmonic nano-antennas characteristics using hybrid plasmonic waveguides, surveying on plasmonic and photonic crystals devices as logic gate and sensor, metamaterial, RF filters and nanostructures modeling and analyses.
University roles and responsibilities
- Research Fellow in Metasurface Engineering
My qualifications
Affiliations and memberships
ResearchResearch interests
I am deeply engaged in a wide spectrum of applied electromagnetics, spanning from RF to visible frequencies, with a specific interest in technologies enabling efficient energy harvesting and advanced device development. My areas of expertise are tailored to bridge the gap between traditional electromagnetic theories and next-generation nanotechnologies. They include:
· Broadband Solar Energy Harvesting: Leveraging hybrid plasmonic technologies in guided devices and antennas to enhance the efficiency of solar cells, particularly focusing on highly efficient antennas.
· Nano-Rectennas & Nanophotonics: Specializing in the design and analysis of efficient nano-rectennas for solar energy harvesting. Deep expertise in plasmonics and nanophotonics in various mediums, including bulk, graphene, and 2D materials, which play a pivotal role in energy conversion at the nanoscale.
· Electromagnetic Wave Engineering: Harnessing nonlinear and reciprocal responses to guide and manipulate electromagnetic waves for optimal energy capture and transmission.
· Tuneable & Reconfigurable Devices: Designing state-of-the-art nano-devices such as nano-antennas, sensors, switches, and logic gates that are essential components in next-generation solar harvesting architectures.
· Wireless Optical on-chip nano-antennas: Enhancing on-chip communication through wireless optical means, potentially revolutionizing the speed and efficiency of integrated circuits.
· Metasurfaces & Metamaterials: Exploiting the unique properties of metasurfaces, metamaterials, and artificial structures to manipulate electromagnetic waves, which can further augment the performance of solar harvesting devices.
· Biosensing: Exploring the intersection between nanotechnology and biology, seeking ways to improve energy efficiency and sensitivity in biosensing applications.
· Communications: Deep-rooted knowledge in both optic and RF communications, understanding the nuances of data transmission across various media and its implication on energy consumption and efficiency.
· LiNO3 Platform: Diving deep into the applications and implications of the Lithium Nitrate (LiNO3) platform in nanophotonics and its potential role in advancing solar energy technologies.
Research projects
Flexi-DAS aims to develop highly flexible Distributed Antenna System (DAS) radio heads/units based on field-programmable flexible radio chipsets and Radio Frequency Identification cards. It also aims to test Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) that might be reflective (e.g. as those placed on walls) or transmissive (e.g. as those placed on windows) to steer the radio signals and cover difficult-to-reach areas.
Research interests
I am deeply engaged in a wide spectrum of applied electromagnetics, spanning from RF to visible frequencies, with a specific interest in technologies enabling efficient energy harvesting and advanced device development. My areas of expertise are tailored to bridge the gap between traditional electromagnetic theories and next-generation nanotechnologies. They include:
· Broadband Solar Energy Harvesting: Leveraging hybrid plasmonic technologies in guided devices and antennas to enhance the efficiency of solar cells, particularly focusing on highly efficient antennas.
· Nano-Rectennas & Nanophotonics: Specializing in the design and analysis of efficient nano-rectennas for solar energy harvesting. Deep expertise in plasmonics and nanophotonics in various mediums, including bulk, graphene, and 2D materials, which play a pivotal role in energy conversion at the nanoscale.
· Electromagnetic Wave Engineering: Harnessing nonlinear and reciprocal responses to guide and manipulate electromagnetic waves for optimal energy capture and transmission.
· Tuneable & Reconfigurable Devices: Designing state-of-the-art nano-devices such as nano-antennas, sensors, switches, and logic gates that are essential components in next-generation solar harvesting architectures.
· Wireless Optical on-chip nano-antennas: Enhancing on-chip communication through wireless optical means, potentially revolutionizing the speed and efficiency of integrated circuits.
· Metasurfaces & Metamaterials: Exploiting the unique properties of metasurfaces, metamaterials, and artificial structures to manipulate electromagnetic waves, which can further augment the performance of solar harvesting devices.
· Biosensing: Exploring the intersection between nanotechnology and biology, seeking ways to improve energy efficiency and sensitivity in biosensing applications.
· Communications: Deep-rooted knowledge in both optic and RF communications, understanding the nuances of data transmission across various media and its implication on energy consumption and efficiency.
· LiNO3 Platform: Diving deep into the applications and implications of the Lithium Nitrate (LiNO3) platform in nanophotonics and its potential role in advancing solar energy technologies.
Research projects
Flexi-DAS aims to develop highly flexible Distributed Antenna System (DAS) radio heads/units based on field-programmable flexible radio chipsets and Radio Frequency Identification cards. It also aims to test Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) that might be reflective (e.g. as those placed on walls) or transmissive (e.g. as those placed on windows) to steer the radio signals and cover difficult-to-reach areas.
Publications
Highlights
- M. Khodadadi, N. Nozhat, S. M. M. Moshiri, and M. Khalily, “Controllable Hybrid Plasmonic Integrated Circuit,” Sci. Rep., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 9983- 10003, 2023. [Impact factor: 4.99]
- M. Khodadadi, N. Nozhat, and S. M. M. Moshiri, and M. Khalily, “Hybrid Plasmonic Rhombic nano-antenna with a Dielectric Director,” Opt. Mat. Express, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 1752-1764, 2023. [Impact factor: 3.074]
- M. Khodadadi, N. Nozhat, and S. M. M. Moshiri, “Theoretical analysis of a graphene quantum well hybrid plasmonic waveguide to design an inter/intra-chip nano-antenna,” Carbon Journal, vol. 189, no.3, pp. 443-458, 2022. [Impact factor: 11.37]
- M. Khodadadi and N. Nozhat, “Theoretical Analysis of a Super-Mode Waveguide and Design of a Complementary Triangular Hybrid Plasmonic Nano-Antenna,” IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron., vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 1-10, 2021. [Impact factor: 4.65]
- MS. Zare, N. Nozhat, and M. Khodadadi, "Wideband Graphene-Based Fractal Absorber and its Applications as Switch and Inverter." Plasmonics, vol.16, pp. 1241-1251, 2021. [Impact factor: 2.72]
- S. M. M. Moshiri, N. Nozhat, and M. Khodadadi, “Dynamic Beam-steering of Graphene-Based Terahertz Cross Yagi-Uda Antenna with Theoretical Approach”, J. Opt., vol.23, no. 015002, pp.1-17, 2021. [Impact factor: 2.077]
- M. Khodadadi, N. Nozhat, and S. M. M. Moshiri, “Theoretical Analysis of a Circular Hybrid Plasmonic Waveguide to Design a Hybrid Plasmonic Nano-Antenna,” Sci. Rep., vol.10, no.1, pp. 1-17, 2020. [Impact factor: 4.99]
- M. Khodadadi, N. Nozhat, and S. M. M. Moshiri, “Analytic approach to study a hybrid plasmonic waveguide-fed and numerically design a nano-antenna based on the new director, ” Opt. Express, vol. 28, no.3, pp. 3305-3330, 2020. [Impact factor: 3.83]
- M. Khodadadi, S. M. M. Moshiri, and N. Nozhat, “Theoretical Analysis of a Simultaneous Graphene-Based Circular Plasmonic Refractive Index and Thickness Bio-Sensor,” IEEE Sensor Journal, vol.20, no.16, pp. 9114-9123, 2020. [Impact factor: 4.325]
- M. Khodadadi, N. Nozhat, and S. M. M. Moshiri, “A high gain and wideband on-chip hybrid plasmonic V-shaped nano-antenna,” J. Opt., vol. 22, no.3, pp. 035005, 2020. [Impact factor: 2.077]
- S.M.M. Moshiri, M. Khodadadi, and N. Nozhat, “Theoretical analysis of ultra-fast multi-wavelength switch containing Kerr nonlinear material and its application as simultaneous AND and NOR logic gates,” Appl. Optics, vol. 59, no. 20, pp. 6030-6040, 2020. [Impact factor: 1.905]
- S.M.M. Moshiri, M. Khodadadi, and N. Nozhat, “Compact and wideband bandpass filters with analysis of the CRLH-TL characteristics based on stepped impedance resonator,” AEU- Int. J. Electron. C., vol. 108, pp. 96-106, 2019. [Impact factor: 3.196]
- Z. Mohebbi, N. Nozhat, and M. Khodadadi, “All-optical simultaneous AND and XOR logic gates based on nonlinear micro-ring resonator,” J. Modern Optics, vol. 65, no. 21, pp. 2326-2331, 2018. [Impact factor: 1.293]
- N. Nozhat, H. Alikomak, and M. Khodadadi, “All-optical XOR and NAND logic gates based on plasmonic nanoparticles,” Opt. Commun., vol.392, pp. 208-213, 2017. [Impact factor: 2.335]
In this paper, a controllable hybrid plasmonic integrated circuit (CHPIC) composed of hybrid plasmonic waveguide (HPW)-based rhombic nano-antenna, polarization beam splitter, coupler, filter, and sensor has been designed and investigated for the first time. In order to control the power into a corresponding input port, a graphene-based 1 × 3 power splitter with switchable output has been exploited. The functionality of each device has been studied comprehensively based on the finite element method and the advantages over state-of-the-art have been compared. Moreover, the effect of connection of CHPIC to the photonic and plasmonic waveguides has been studied to exhibit the capability of variety excitation methods of the CHPIC. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed CHPIC connected to inter/intra wireless transmission links has been investigated. The wireless transmission link consists of two HPW-based nano-antennas as transmitter and receiver with the maximum gain and directivity of 10 dB and 10.2 dBi, respectively, at 193.5 THz. The suggested CHPIC can be used for applications such as optical wireless communication and inter/intra-chip optical interconnects.
In this paper, for the first time, the idea of a dielectric director has been utilized to improve the directivity and gain of the proposed hybrid plasmonic rhombic nano-antenna (HPRNA). The proposed HPRNA can support a horizontal radiation pattern to flourish the concept of wireless transmission link. The horizontal radiation pattern has a 3 dB beamwidth of 43.5°, side lobe level of −11.9 dB, and a directivity and gain of 10.5 dBi and 10.3 dB, respectively, at the operating frequency of 193.5 THz. Moreover, the effects of geometric parameters to verify the functionality of the proposed nano-antenna have been investigated. Finally, the idea of an on-chip wireless transmission link based on transmitting and receiving HPRNAs has been developed and studied theoretically and numerically. The fabrication of the proposed nano-antenna can be done by the typical e-beam lithography (EBL) technique, which is easier than the complicated X-ray method because of its suitable aspect ratio.
In this paper, a smart multi-user wireless link based on a graphene quantum well vertical hybrid plasmonic waveguide-fed nano-antenna is proposed. The theoretical method and finite element method (FEM) are used to verify that the vertical hybrid plasmonic waveguide (VHPW) supports both even and odd fundamental modes. Utilizing multi-mode graphene quantum well VHPW leads to the design of a selective mode nano‑antenna with intermediate broadside and end-fire radiation patterns with high directivities of 9.38 dBi and 11.8 dBi at 193.5 THz, respectively, obtained by the finite-difference time-domain method. Also, to verify the accuracy of nano‑antenna results, the FEM approach is used. The nano-antenna performance as a wireless inter/intra-chip link is investigated, which confirms the even mode plays a key role to create a multiple-access wireless system. Based on the amazing features of graphene as an epsilon-near-zero and absorptive/transparent material, the accessibility of receivers is easily controlled. The effect of a single row array structure and its application as beam steering is studied. Finally, to estimate the performance of quantum well nano-antenna as a real device, which is compatible with electron‑beam lithography and lift-off fabrication techniques, the effect of metal layer roughness and 5% tolerance for geometrical parameters are investigated.
The characteristics of a super-mode waveguide-fed nano-antenna composed of a complementary triangular hybrid plasmonic radiation part have been investigated by two methods of finite element and finite-difference time-domain. Also, a symmetric hybrid plasmonic waveguide (SHPW) has been studied theoretically and numerically to analyze short- and long-range fundamental TM super-modes (TMSR and TMLR) that excite the nano-antenna. The obtained propagation length and figure of merit at 193.5 THz are 150.6 µm (1.27 µm) and 691.77 (16.94) for TMLR (TMSR) super-mode, respectively, which confirm the inevitable loss-confinement trade-off of SHPW. These super-modes cause the nano-antenna to have horizontal and bidirectional radiation patterns due to the existence of the in‑phase and out-of phase super-modes. The obtained directivities and efficiencies are 9.34 dBi (7.01 dBi) and 96.82% (9.66%) for TMLR (TMSR) super-mode, respectively, at 193.5 THz. Moreover, the horizontal and bidirectional radiation patterns are appropriate for on-chip wireless links with the quality factor of 69.18 and target tracking systems, respectively. The performance of a single row array of nano-antenna on improving the directivity and efficiency has been studied. The proposed SHPW-fed nano-antenna is quite tolerant to practical fabrication errors and compatible with lift-off and electron beam lithography fabrication processes.
In this paper, the idea of square fractal geometry has been utilized to introduce a tunable wideband graphene-based perfect plasmonic absorber in the near-infrared region. It consists of a MgF2 layer and an array of gold squares fractal loaded on a graphene layer. In the designed absorber a single layer of graphene has been used instead of multilayered graphene structures. The structure is polarization-insensitive under normal incidence due to the geometric symmetry. The absorption and bandwidth of the structure are almost insensitive to the incident angle up to 15° and 45° for TE and TM polarizations, respectively. Moreover, by choosing appropriate structural parameters, the resonance wavelength of the desired plasmonic absorber can be controlled. The absorption of the introduced structure can be tuned by changing the chemical potential of the graphene. Therefore, the proposed fractal absorber can act as switch and inverter at λ=1995 nm. Furthermore, the equivalent circuit model of the absorber has been derived to confirm the validity of the simulation results. The superiorities of our fractal absorber are wide full-width at half‑maximum of 406 nm, multi-applicant, perfect absorption and fabrication feasibility due to the simple structure with the maximum absorption tolerance error of 5.12%.