NANOWIRES AND NANORIBBONS AS SUBWAVELENGTH OPTICAL WAVEGUIDES AND THEIR USE AS COMPONENTS IN PHOTONIC CIRCUITS AND DEVICES

摘要

Nanoribbons 40 and nanowires 38 having diameters less than the wavelength of light, as shown for example in Fig. 7B, are used in the formation of optical circuits and devices. Such nano structures function as subwavelength optical waveguides which form a fundamental building block for optical integration. The extraordinary length, flexibility and strength of these structures enable their manipulation on surfaces, including the precise positioning and optical linking of nanoribbon/wire waveguides 40, 38 and other nanoribbon/wire elements to form optical networks and devices. In addition, such structures provide for waveguiding in liquids, enabling them to further be used in other applications such as optical probes and sensors.