Nanotube Nonlinear Waveguides for Next Generation Electrophotonics

碳原子可以形成球状和管状分子的发现为研究人员提供了一类具有独特性质的新材料，称为碳纳米管(CNT)。特别是，这些碳纳米管具有显著的机械和电学性能，已被用于生产超强纤维和显示器的电子源，以及许多其他应用。最近，对这些材料的光学性质的研究表明，它们在这一领域也有很大的贡献。这些材料表现出独特的吸收和发射性能，可以通过改变碳管的直径来控制。通过使用其所谓的非线性光学特性，它们也具有巨大的潜力。当存在高光强时，通常可以观察到这些属性，并且这些属性可用于控制和适应该光。例如，利用非线性特性，可以快速开启和关闭光，改变光的波长(颜色)，甚至可以从短脉冲形成连续的光。该提议的目的是通过将这些碳纳米管嵌入到聚合物和硫化物玻璃基质中来开发新一代电光材料。在此基础上形成了碳纳米管掺杂光波导，并对其线性和非线性光学性质进行了研究。我们将利用它们来实现高功能的平面光波设备。关键的一点是，这种材料将能够使用非常相似的制造工艺来形成光学和薄膜电子器件，从而为完全集成的电子电路和系统的低成本大规模制造打开大门。这样的发展将代表着这一领域的重大进步，并使新一代设备和系统得以开发。

The discovery that carbon atoms can form molecules with spherical and tubular geometry has provided researchers with a new class of materials with unique properties called carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In particular these CNTs possess remarkable mechanical and electrical properties that have been used to produce ultra-strong fibres and electron sources for displays amongst many other applications. Recently, studies on the optical properties of these materials have shown that they have much to offer in this area as well. These materials exhibit unique absorption and emission properties that can be controlled through changing the diameter of the carbon tubes. They also have significant potential through the use of their so called non-linear optical properties. These properties are generally observed when high light intensities are present and can be used to control and adapt this light. For example it is possible to rapidly switch the light on and off, change the wavelength (colour) of the light and even form a continuum of light from a short pulse using non-linear properties.The aim of this proposal is to develop a new generation of electrophotonic materials by embedding these carbon nanotubes in polymer and chalcogenide glass hosts. Within these CNT-doped hosts waveguides will be formed and their linear and non-linear optical properties studied. We will exploit them to realise highly functional planar lightwave devices . A key point is that this material will be capable of forming both optical as well as thin-film electronic devices using very similar fabrication processes, thereby opening the door towards the low-cost mass manufacture of fully integrated electrophotonic circuits and systems. Such a development would represent a significant advance in this area and allow a new generation of devices and systems to be developed.