Harnessing the nano-optics of nanowires for novel photonic devices

研究目标和方法：本研究的目的是阐明纳米线光学特性的科学基础，并利用这些特性制造新型光子器件。该方法是发展基于纳米线的光电探测器、多光谱和偏振成像的滤波器阵列以及等离子体激光器所需的科学。光电探测器和过滤器将基于首席研究员小组最近的发现，即垂直硅纳米线可以根据其半径呈现各种各样的颜色。激光器将由放置在等离子波导中的纳米线组成。知识价值：由于其独特的属性，半导体纳米线在过去十年中受到了极大的关注。令人惊讶的是，很少有人注意到波导和共振现象对其光学特性的巨大影响。这项工作将揭示科学，并证明这些现象可以有利地用于纳米线光子学。更广泛的影响：虽然拟议的项目将调查科学，但在这项工作中研究的设备完全有可能以某种形式进入商业产品。因此，这项工作可以为美国的光子学产业做出贡献。该项目不仅创造了科学，还创造了未来发展所需的人力基础设施。首席研究员将为各种各样的本科生和研究生提供培训，并将在当地社区开展各种推广工作。

Research Objectives and Approaches: The objective of this research is to elucidate the science underlying the optical properties of nanowires, and to harness these properties for novel photonic devices. The approach is to develop the science needed for nanowire-based photodetectors, for filter arrays for multispectral and polarization imaging, and for plasmonic lasers. The photodetector and filters will be based upon the recent discovery by the Principal Investigator's group that vertical silicon nanowires can appear a wide variety of colors that depend on their radii. The lasers will consist of nanowires positioned in plasmonic waveguides.Intellectual merit: Due to their unique attributes, much interest has been paid over the past decade to semiconducting nanowires. It is somewhat surprising how little attention has been paid to the dramatic effects that waveguiding and resonance phenomena can have upon their optical properties. This work will reveal the science, and demonstrate that these phenomena can be used advantageously for nanowire-based photonics.Broader impacts: While the proposed program will investigate the science, it is entirely possible that the devices studied in this work will find their way, in some form, into commercial products. The work therefore could contribute to the United States photonics industry. The project also creates not only the science, but also the human infrastructure required for future advances. The Principal Investigator will provide training to a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate students, and will undertake a variety of outreach efforts in the local community.