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的光学性质的科学基础，并利用这些性质的新型光子器件。该方法是开发基于纳米晶的光电探测器，用于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主要研究者小组最近的发现，即垂直硅纳米线可以根据其半径呈现各种颜色。这种激光器将由位于等离子体波导中的纳米线组成。智力上的优点：由于它们独特的属性，在过去的十年里，半导体纳米线引起了人们的极大兴趣。令人惊讶的是，波导和共振现象对它们的光学性质的巨大影响却很少受到关注。这项工作将揭示科学，并证明这些现象可以有利地用于基于光子晶体的光子学。更广泛的影响：虽然拟议的计划将调查科学，这是完全有可能的，在这项工作中研究的设备将找到自己的方式，以某种形式，进入商业产品。因此，这项工作可能有助于美国的光子学产业。该项目不仅创造了科学，还创造了未来进步所需的人力基础设施。主要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外联工作。

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.