2-D photonic crystals grown by atomic layer deposition for near IR and visible optoelectronics applications
EMSL Project ID
3445
Abstract
In this proposal we outline a research program to develop a process for constructing two dimensional (2-D) photonic crystals for optoelectronic applications in the IR and UV range. The first phase of this program is to develop a technique for constructing photonic crystals based on nanochannel array glass, which consists of a simple glass plate (thickness ~ 1mm) with micron to nanometer sized voids in the form of cylinders. The voids traverse the entire thickness of the glass plate. In order to enhance the photonic properties of the nanochannel array glass the cylindrical voids need to be filled with a material with an index of refraction that differs significantly from that of the support glass. Specifically, oxides (ZnO, Al2O3, Ta2O5, HfO), nitrides (GaN, SiN, and AlN), carbide (BC, SiC), and some III-V semiconductors (GaSb, InSb, and GaP). Atomic layer deposition, combined with differential pumping across the nanochannels, will be used to deposit semiconductor and dielectric material s into the channels, thereby, forming a true 2-D photonic crystal. The optical transmission properties of the photonic crystal can be selected through the appropriate choice of channel size and channel material, i.e., the difference of the index of refraction between the substrate and channel material. The second phase of this program is to characterize, as well as optimize, the optical properties of the aforementioned photonic crystals for the purpose of enhancing or developing new optoelectronics applications, i.e., optical modulators, filters, optical couples, etc. The transmission spectra and polarization properties of the photonic crystals as a function of channel size and channel material will be determined. The end result of this program will be two-fold: 2-D photonic crystals suitable for optoelectronics applications and a process for their construction that can be easily commercialized.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2003-04-01
End Date
2006-04-02
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members