Introduction to RLE Progress Report

Abstract

The Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) was established in 1946 as the Institute's first interdepartmental laboratory. Originally organized under the joint sponsorship of the Departments of Physics and Electrical Engineering, RLE currently maintains a broad interpretation of electronics by promoting a wide range of research. The RLE environment provides both the freedom of action essential in an academic institution and the availability of large-scale laboratory facilities and services required by researchers. RLE's interdisciplinary setting offers many opportunities for creative and collaborative research. By fostering this powerful combination of research and education, RLE effectively penetrates beyond the horizon of new ideas and information. Progress Report No. 129 describes research programs at RLE for the period January 1 through December 31, 1986. This report contains both a statement of research objectives and a summary of research efforts for each of the research groups within RLE. Faculty, research staff and students who participated in these projects are identified at the beginning of each chapter, along with sources of funding. We would like to highlight the following features of this report. Chapter 29 contains publications and papers presented by RLE staff during 1986, and reprints of articles may be obtained by contacting the authors directly. Chapter 30 is a roster of all current RLE staff. In addition, indexes of project personnel and sponsored research projects are located at the end of this report. Progress Report No. 129 was produced by the RLE Communications Office. Further inquiries may be addressed to: Barbara Passero, Communications Officer, Research Laboratory of Electronics Building 36-412, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (617) 253-2566 We thank the faculty, staff and students of RLE for their generous contributions. Our special thanks this year to Eric Watson for his effort and initiative and to Dave Foss for his technical advice.