Diatom frustules as nature-designed building blocks for photonic applications

硅藻微生物的硅质小柱在从纳米到微米范围的长度尺度上表现出高度规则的结构，结构模式和尺寸取决于特定的硅藻物种。这种结构被提出来赋予独特的光学性质，类似于2D或3D光子晶体，可能对硅藻的光生物学产生影响。为了获得具有纳米级结构的人造材料，人们正在开发先进的技术，目的是诱导新的光子和等离子体效应，这是光学或光电子应用所希望的。本项目的目的是探索在光学元件和光电子器件中使用硅藻作为纳米结构和纳米结构模板的方便来源。从最近为有机半导体开发的一种新颖的光电探测器器件结构开始，其中光电流响应对现有的界面及其结构高度敏感，硅藻管状体将被作为构建块引入实际器件，并对其性能进行测试。将探索表面功能化策略，以开发和增强所需的锥体的光学和/或电学性能。通过结合光学和结构表征，并使用一系列实验技术和模拟辅助，我们的目标是改善器件性能，以及优化器件架构，以充分利用硅藻树枝的独特结构特征。

The siliceous frustules of diatom microorganisms characteristically show highly regular structuring on length scales stretching from the nanometer to the micrometer range, with the structural patterns and dimensions dependent on the specific diatom species. This structuring has been proposed to impart unique optical properties, similar to 2D or 3D photonic crystals, with possible implications for the diatoms’ photobiology. To obtain artificial materials with structures on the nanoscale, advanced techniques are being developed with the aim of inducing novel photonic and plasmonic effects, desirable for optical or optoelectronic applications. The purpose of this project is to explore the use of diatom frustules as a convenient source of nanostructures and nanostructured templates in optical elements and optoelectronic devices. Starting with a novel photodetector device architecture - recently developed for organic semiconductors - in which the photocurrent response is highly sensitive to the existent interfaces and their structuring, diatom frustules will be introduced as building blocks into practical devices, and their performance tested. Surface functionalization strategies will be explored to develop and enhance the desired optical and/or electronic properties of the frustules. Through a combination of optical and structural characterisation, and using a range of experimental techniques supplemented with simulations, we aim to improve the device performance, as well as to optimize the device architecture to fully benefit from the unique structural features of the diatom frustules.