Archive for the ‘electro-optical’ tag
New technique to compress light could open doors for optical communications
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have devised a way to squeeze light into tighter spaces than ever thought possible, potentially opening doors to new technology in the fields of optical communications, miniature lasers and optical computers.
Optics researchers succeeded previously in passing light through gaps 200 nanometers wide, about 400 times smaller than the width of a human hair. A group of UC Berkeley researchers led by mechanical engineering professor Xiang Zhang devised a way to confine light in incredibly small spaces on the order of 10 nanometers, only five times the width of a single piece of DNA and more than 100 times thinner than current optical fibers.
Read more on: electro-optical, ElectronicsResearchers bring graphene-based gadgets closer
Researchers at The University of Manchester have produced tiny liquid crystal devices with electrodes made from graphene.
Dr Kostya Novoselov, from the Manchester research team, explained: “Graphene is only one atom thick, optically transparent, chemically inert, and an excellent conductor.
“These properties seem to make this material an excellent candidate for applications in various electro-optical devices that require conducting but transparent thin films. We believe graphene should improve the durability and simplify the technology of potential electronic devices that interact with light.”
Read more on: conducting films, Design, electro-optical, electrodes, Electronics, graphene, indium, material