Name: fabrication and characterization of photonic crystal slow light waveguides and cavities
Uploaded: 2012-11-30T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities at JoVE.com

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr Matteo Galli, Dr Simone L. Portalupi and Prof. Lucio C. Andreani from the University of Pavia for helpful discussions related to the RS technique and the execution of measurements.

Disclaimer: The following protocol gives a general process flow covering the fabrication and characterization techniques for photonic crystal waveguides and cavities. The process flow is optimized for the specific equipment available in our laboratory, and parameters may differ if other reagents or equipment is used.
1. Sample Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Sample Cleaving - take the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer and use a diamond scribe to scratch a line approximately 1-2 mm long...

<ol>
	<li>Baba, T., Kawasaki, T., Sasaki, H., Adachi, J., Mori, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large+delay-bandwidth+product+and+tuning+of+slow+light+pulse+in+photonic+crystal+coupled+waveguide.">Large delay-bandwidth product and tuning of slow light pulse in photonic crystal coupled waveguide.</a> Opt. Express. 16 (12), 9245-9253 (2008).</li><li>Melloni, A., Canciamilla, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tunable+delay+lines+in+silicon+photonics:+coupled+resonators+and+photonic+crystals,+a+comparison.">Tunable delay lines in silicon photonics: coupled resonators and photonic crystals, a comparison.</a> IEEE Photon. J. 2 (2), 181-194 (2010).</li><li>Ishikura, N., Baba, T., Kuramochi, E., Notomi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large+tunable+fractional+delay+of+slow+light+pulse+and+its+application+to+fast+optical+correlator.">Large tunable fractional delay of slow light pulse and its application to fast optical correlator.</a> Opt. Express. 19 (24), 24102-24108 (2011).</li><li>Beggs, D. M., Rey, I. H., Kampfrath, T., Rotenberg, N., Kuipers, L., Krauss, T. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ultrafast+tunable+optical+delay+line+based+on+indirect+photonic+transitions.">Ultrafast tunable optical delay line based on indirect photonic transitions.</a> Phys. Rev. Lett. 108 (21), 213901 (2012).</li><li>Beggs, D. M., White, T. P., O'Faolain, L., Krauss, T. 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Express. 17 (4), 2944-2953 (2009).</li><li>Corcoran, B., Monat, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=light+emission+in+silicon+through+slow-light+enhanced+third-harmonic+generation+in+photonic-crystal+waveguides.">light emission in silicon through slow-light enhanced third-harmonic generation in photonic-crystal waveguides.</a> Nature Photon. 3, 206-210 (2009).</li><li>Li, J., O'Faolain, L., Rey, I. H., Krauss, T. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Four-wave+mixing+in+photonic+crystal+waveguides:+slow+light+enhancement+and+limitations.">Four-wave mixing in photonic crystal waveguides: slow light enhancement and limitations.</a> Opt. 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D., Haus, H. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Channel+drop+filters+in+photonic+crystals.">Channel drop filters in photonic crystals.</a> Opt. Express. 3 (1), 4-11 (1998).</li><li>Tanabe, T., Nishiguchi, K., Kuramochi, E., Notomi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Low+power+and+fast+electro-optic+silicon+modulator+with+lateral+p-i-n+embedded+photonic+crystal+nanocavity.">Low power and fast electro-optic silicon modulator with lateral p-i-n embedded photonic crystal nanocavity.</a> Opt. 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F., McNab, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Active+control+of+slow+light+on+a+chip+with+photonic+crystal+waveguides.">Active control of slow light on a chip with photonic crystal waveguides.</a> Nature. 438, 65-69 (2005).</li><li>Gomez-Iglesias, A., O'Brien, D., O'Faolain, L., Miller, A., Krauss, T. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+measurement+of+the+group+index+of+photonic+crystal+waveguide+via+Fourier+transform+spectral+interferometry.">Direct measurement of the group index of photonic crystal waveguide via Fourier transform spectral interferometry.</a> Appl. Phys. Lett. 90 (26), 261107 (2007).</li><li>Akahane, Y., Asano, T., Song, B. -. S., Noda, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-Q+photonic+nanocavity+in+a+two-dimensional+photonic+crystal.">High-Q photonic nanocavity in a two-dimensional photonic crystal.</a> Nature. 425, 944-947 (2003).</li><li>McCutcheon, M. W., Rieger, G. W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Resonant+scattering+and+second-harmonic+spectroscopy+of+planar+photonic+crystal+microcavities.">Resonant scattering and second-harmonic spectroscopy of planar photonic crystal microcavities.</a> Appl. Phys. Lett. 87 (22), 221110 (2005).</li><li>Galli, M., Portalupi, S. L., Belotti, M., Andreani, L. C., O'Faolain, L., Krauss, T. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Light+scattering+and+Fano+resonances+in+high-Q+photonic+crystal+nanocavities.">Light scattering and Fano resonances in high-Q photonic crystal nanocavities.</a> Appl. Phys. Lett. 94 (7), 71101 (2009).</li><li>W&#195;est, R., Strasser, P., Jungo, M., Robin, F., Erni, D., J&#252;ckel, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+efficient+proximity-effect+correction+method+for+electron-beam+patterning+of+photonic-crystal+devices.">An efficient proximity-effect correction method for electron-beam patterning of photonic-crystal devices.</a> Microelectron Eng. 67-68, 182-188 (2003).</li><li>Tanaka, Y., Asano, T., Akahane, Y., Song, B. -. 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Sample fabrication
Our choice of electron-beam resist (i.e. ZEP 520A) is due to its simultaneously high resolution and etch resistance. We believe that ZEP 520A may be affected by the UV light emitted from overhead laboratory lights; as such we recommend placing spin-coated samples in UV opaque containers while moving them from one laboratory to another.
Moving onto defining the photonic crystal pattern, before exposing the sample we have found that allowing t...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name </td>
			<td>Company </td>
			<td>Catalogue number </td>
			<td>Comments (optional) </td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetone</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A/0520/17</td>
			<td>CAUTION: flammable, use good ventilation and avoid all ignition sources.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isopropanol</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>P/7500/15</td>
			<td>CAUTION: flammable, use good ventilation and avoid all ignition sources.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electron Beam resist</td>
			<td>Marubeni Europe plc.</td>
			<td>ZEP520A</td>
			<td>CAUTION: flammable, harmful by inhalation, avoid contact with skin and eyes.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Xylene</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>X/0100/17</td>
			<td>CAUTION: flammable and highly toxic, use good ventilation, avoid all ignition sources, avoid contact with skin and eyes.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microposit S1818 G2</td>
			<td>Chestech Ltd.</td>
			<td>10277866</td>
			<td>CAUTION: flammable and causes irritation to eyes, nose and respiratory tract.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microposit Developer MF-319</td>
			<td>Chestech Ltd.</td>
			<td>10058721</td>
			<td>CAUTION: alkaline liquid and can cause irritation to eyes, nose and respiratory tract.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrofluoric Acid</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22333-5000</td>
			<td>CAUTION: extremely corrosive, readily destroys tissue; handle with full personal protective equipment rated for HF.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microposit 1165 Remover</td>
			<td>Chestech Ltd.</td>
			<td>10058734</td>
			<td>CAUTION: flammable and causes irritation to eyes, nose and respiratory tract.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sulphuric Acid</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S/9120/PB17</td>
			<td>CAUTION: corrosive and very toxic; handle with personal protective equipment and avoid inhalation of vapours or mists.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrogen Peroxide</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BPE2633-500</td>
			<td>CAUTION: very hazardous in case of skin and eye contact; handle with personal protective equipment.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silicon-on-Insulator wafer</td>
			<td>Soitec</td>
			<td>G8P-110-01</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Diamond Scribe</td>
			<td>J &amp; M Diamond Tool Inc.</td>
			<td>HS-415</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope slides</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>FB58622</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Beakers</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>FB33109</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tweezers</td>
			<td>SPI Supplies</td>
			<td>PT006-AB</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultrasonic Bath</td>
			<td>Camlab</td>
			<td>1161436</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spin-Coater</td>
			<td>Electronic Micro Systems Ltd.</td>
			<td>EMS 4000</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipette</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>FB55343</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>E-beam Lithography System</td>
			<td>Raith Gmbh</td>
			<td>Raith 150</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Reactive Ion Etching System</td>
			<td>Proprietary In-house Designed</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UV Mask Aligner</td>
			<td>Karl Suss</td>
			<td>MJB-3</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ASE source</td>
			<td>Amonics</td>
			<td>ALS-CL-15-B-FA</td>
			<td>CAUTION: invisible IR radiation.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Single mode fibers</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>P1-SMF28E-FC-2</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3 dB fiber splitters</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>C-WD-AL-50-H-2210-35-FC/FC</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aspheric lenses</td>
			<td>New Focus</td>
			<td>5720-C</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>XYZ stages</td>
			<td>Melles Griot</td>
			<td>17AMB003/MD</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polarizing beamsplitter cube</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PBS104</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IR detector</td>
			<td>New Focus</td>
			<td>2033</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100&times; Objective</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>BD Plan 100x</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oscilloscope</td>
			<td>Tektronix</td>
			<td>TDS1001B</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Optical Spectrum Analyzer</td>
			<td>Advantest</td>
			<td>Q8384</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IR sensor card</td>
			<td>Newport</td>
			<td>F-IRC2</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TLS source</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>81940A</td>
			<td>CAUTION: invisible IR radiation.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IR Camera</td>
			<td>Electrophysics</td>
			<td>7290A</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IR Detector</td>
			<td>New Focus</td>
			<td>2153</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digital Multimeter</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>34401A</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Illumination</td>
			<td>Stocker Yale</td>
			<td>Lite Mite</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Monochromator</td>
			<td>Spectral Products</td>
			<td>DK480</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Array Detector</td>
			<td>Andor</td>
			<td>DU490A-1.7</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GIF Fiber</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>31L02</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

fabrication and characterization of photonic crystal slow light waveguides and cavities

Slow light has been one of the hot topics in the photonics community in the past decade, generating great interest both from a fundamental point of view and for its considerable potential for practical applications. Slow light photonic crystal waveguides, in particular, have played a major part and have been successfully employed for delaying optical signals1-4 and the enhancement of both linear5-7 and nonlinear devices.8-11
Photonic crystal cavities achieve similar effects to that of slow light waveguides, but over a reduced band-width. These cavities offer high Q-factor/volume ratio, for the realization of optically12 and electrically13 pumped ultra-low threshold lasers and the enhancement of nonlinear effects.14-16 Furthermore, passive filters17 and modulators18-19 have been demonstrated, exhibiting ultra-narrow line-width, high free-spectral range and record values of low energy consumption.
To attain these exciting results, a robust repeatable fabrication protocol must be developed. In this paper we take an in-depth look at our fabrication protocol which employs electron-beam lithography for the definition of photonic crystal patterns and uses wet and dry etching techniques. Our optimised fabrication recipe results in photonic crystals that do not suffer from vertical asymmetry and exhibit very good edge-wall roughness. We discuss the results of varying the etching parameters and the detrimental effects that they can have on a device, leading to a diagnostic route that can be taken to identify and eliminate similar issues.
The key to evaluating slow light waveguides is the passive characterization of transmission and group index spectra. Various methods have been reported, most notably resolving the Fabry-Perot fringes of the transmission spectrum20-21 and interferometric techniques.22-25 Here, we describe a direct, broadband measurement technique combining spectral interferometry with Fourier transform analysis.26 Our method stands out for its simplicity and power, as we can characterise a bare photonic crystal with access waveguides, without need for on-chip interference components, and the setup only consists of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, with no need for moving parts and delay scans.
When characterising photonic crystal cavities, techniques involving internal sources21 or external waveguides directly coupled to the cavity27 impact on the performance of the cavity itself, thereby distorting the measurement. Here, we describe a novel and non-intrusive technique that makes use of a cross-polarised probe beam and is known as resonant scattering (RS), where the probe is coupled out-of plane into the cavity through an objective. The technique was first demonstrated by McCutcheon et al.28 and further developed by Galli et al.29

Fabricated samples
Figure 1 shows a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of an exposed and developed pattern in electron beam resist - it is evident from the "clean" edge between the resist and the silicon substrate that complete exposure/development has been accomplished. Exposure of dose test patterns, consisting of simple repeated shapes (in our case 50 &times; 50 &mu;m squares), each with a differing base dose, are used to determine the correct dose factor and developmen...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities at JoVE.com

Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities

Use of photonic crystal slow light waveguides and cavities has been widely adopted by the photonics community in many differing applications. Therefore fabrication and characterization of these devices are of great interest. This paper outlines our fabrication technique and two optical characterization methods, namely: interferometric (waveguides) and resonant scattering (cavities).

Slow light has been one of the hot topics in the photonics community in the past decade, generating great interest both from a fundamental point of view ...

fabrication-characterization-photonic-crystal-slow-light-waveguides

Research

JoVE Journal

Engineering

Simulation, Fabrication and Characterization of THz Metamaterial Absorbers

Metamaterials (MM), artificial materials engineered to have properties that may not be found in nature, have been widely explored since the first theoretical1 and experimental demonstration2 of their unique properties. MMs can provide a highly controllable electromagnetic response, and to date have been demonstrated in every technologically relevant spectral range including the optical3, near IR4, mid IR5 , THz6 , mm-wave7 , microwave8 and radio9 bands. Applications include perfect lenses10, sensors11, telecommunications12, invisibility cloaks13 and filters14,15. We have recently developed single band16, dual band17 and broadband18 THz metamaterial absorber devices capable of greater than 80% absorption at the resonance peak. The concept of a MM absorber is especially important at THz frequencies where it is difficult to find strong frequency selective THz absorbers19. In our MM absorber the THz radiation is absorbed in a thickness of ~ &lambda;/20, overcoming the thickness limitation of traditional quarter wavelength absorbers. MM absorbers naturally lend themselves to THz detection applications, such as thermal sensors, and if integrated with suitable THz sources (e.g. QCLs), could lead to compact, highly sensitive, low cost, real time THz imaging systems.

This protocol outlines the simulation, fabrication and characterization of THz metamaterial absorbers. Such absorbers, when coupled with an appropriate sensor, have applications in THz imaging and spectroscopy.

Metamaterials (MM),  artificial materials engineered to have properties that may not be found in  nature, have been widely explored since the first ...

Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Characterization of Plasmonic Photoconductive Terahertz Emitters

In this video article we present a detailed demonstration of a highly efficient method for generating terahertz waves. Our technique is based on photoconduction, which has been one of the most commonly used techniques for terahertz generation 1-8. Terahertz generation in a photoconductive emitter is achieved by pumping an ultrafast photoconductor with a pulsed or heterodyned laser illumination. The induced photocurrent, which follows the envelope of the pump laser, is routed to a terahertz radiating antenna connected to the photoconductor contact electrodes to generate terahertz radiation. Although the quantum efficiency of a photoconductive emitter can theoretically reach 100%, the relatively long transport path lengths of photo-generated carriers to the contact electrodes of conventional photoconductors have severely limited their quantum efficiency. Additionally, the carrier screening effect and thermal breakdown strictly limit the maximum output power of conventional photoconductive terahertz sources. To address the quantum efficiency limitations of conventional photoconductive terahertz emitters, we have developed a new photoconductive emitter concept which incorporates a plasmonic contact electrode configuration to offer high quantum-efficiency and ultrafast operation simultaneously. By using nano-scale plasmonic contact electrodes, we significantly reduce the average photo-generated carrier transport path to photoconductor contact electrodes compared to conventional photoconductors 9. Our method also allows increasing photoconductor active area without a considerable increase in the capacitive loading to the antenna, boosting the maximum terahertz radiation power by preventing the carrier screening effect and thermal breakdown at high optical pump powers. By incorporating plasmonic contact electrodes, we demonstrate enhancing the optical-to-terahertz power conversion efficiency of a conventional photoconductive terahertz emitter by a factor of 50 10.

We describe methods for the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of plasmonic photoconductive emitters, which offer two orders of magnitude higher terahertz power levels compared to conventional photoconductive emitters.

In this video article we present a detailed demonstration of a highly efficient method for generating terahertz waves. Our technique is based on ...

Fabrication and Characterization of Disordered Polymer Optical Fibers for Transverse Anderson Localization of Light

We develop and characterize a disordered polymer optical fiber that uses transverse Anderson localization as a novel waveguiding mechanism. The developed polymer optical fiber is composed of 80,000 strands of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) that are randomly mixed and drawn into a square cross section optical fiber with a side width of 250 &mu;m. Initially, each strand is 200 &mu;m in diameter and 8-inches long. During the mixing process of the original fiber strands, the fibers cross over each other; however, a large draw ratio guarantees that the refractive index profile is invariant along the length of the fiber for several tens of centimeters. The large refractive index difference of 0.1 between the disordered sites results in a small localized beam radius that is comparable to the beam radius of conventional optical fibers. The input light is launched from a standard single mode optical fiber using the butt-coupling method and the near-field output beam from the disordered fiber is imaged using a 40X objective and a CCD camera. The output beam diameter agrees well with the expected results from the numerical simulations. The disordered optical fiber presented in this work is the first device-level implementation of 2D Anderson localization, and can potentially be used for image transport and short-haul optical communication systems.

We develop and characterize a disordered polymer optical fiber that uses transverse Anderson localization as a novel waveguiding mechanism. This microstructured fiber can transport a small localized beam with a radius that is comparable to the beam radius of conventional optical fibers.

We develop and characterize a disordered polymer optical fiber that uses transverse Anderson localization as a novel waveguiding mechanism. The developed ...

Fabrication of Uniform Nanoscale Cavities via Silicon Direct Wafer Bonding

Measurements of the heat capacity and superfluid fraction of confined 4He have been performed near the lambda transition using lithographically patterned and bonded silicon wafers. Unlike confinements in porous materials often used for these types of experiments3, bonded wafers provide predesigned uniform spaces for confinement. The geometry of each cell is well known, which removes a large source of ambiguity in the interpretation of data.
Exceptionally flat, 5 cm diameter, 375 &#181;m thick Si wafers with about 1 &#181;m variation over the entire wafer can be obtained commercially (from Semiconductor Processing Company, for example). Thermal oxide is grown on the wafers to define the confinement dimension in the z-direction. A pattern is then etched in the oxide using lithographic techniques so as to create a desired enclosure upon bonding. A hole is drilled in one of the wafers (the top) to allow for the introduction of the liquid to be measured. The wafers are cleaned2 in RCA solutions and then put in a microclean chamber where they are rinsed with deionized water4. The wafers are bonded at RT and then annealed at ~1,100 &#176;C. This forms a strong and permanent bond. This process can be used to make uniform enclosures for measuring thermal and hydrodynamic properties of confined liquids from the nanometer to the micrometer scale.

A method for permanently bonding two silicon wafers so as to realize a uniform enclosure is described. This includes wafer preparation, cleaning, RT bonding, and annealing processes. The resulting bonded wafers (cells) have uniformity of enclosure ~1%1,2. The resulting geometry allows for measurements of confined liquids and gasses.

Measurements of the heat capacity and superfluid fraction of confined 4He have been performed near the lambda transition using lithographically patterned ...

Using Microwave and Macroscopic Samples of Dielectric Solids to Study the Photonic Properties of Disordered Photonic Bandgap Materials

Recently, disordered photonic materials have been suggested as an alternative to periodic crystals for the formation of a complete photonic bandgap (PBG). In this article we will describe the methods for constructing and characterizing macroscopic disordered photonic structures using microwaves. The microwave regime offers the most convenient experimental sample size to build and test PBG media. Easily manipulated dielectric lattice components extend flexibility in building various 2D structures on top of pre-printed plastic templates. Once built, the structures could be quickly modified with point and line defects to make freeform waveguides and filters. Testing is done using a widely available Vector Network Analyzer and pairs of microwave horn antennas. Due to the scale invariance property of electromagnetic fields, the results we obtained in the microwave region can be directly applied to infrared and optical regions. Our approach is simple but delivers exciting new insight into the nature of light and disordered matter interaction.

Our representative results include the first experimental demonstration of the existence of a complete and isotropic PBG in a two-dimensional (2D) hyperuniform disordered dielectric structure. Additionally we demonstrate experimentally the ability of this novel photonic structure to guide electromagnetic waves (EM) through freeform waveguides of arbitrary shape.

Disordered structures offer new mechanisms for forming photonic bandgaps and unprecedented freedom in functional-defect designs. To circumvent the computational challenges of disordered systems, we construct modular macroscopic samples of the new class of PBG materials and use microwaves to characterize their scale-invariant photonic properties, in an easy and inexpensive manner.

Recently, disordered photonic materials have been suggested as an alternative to periodic crystals for the formation of a complete photonic bandgap (PBG). ...

Patterning via Optical Saturable Transitions - Fabrication and Characterization

This protocol describes the fabrication and characterization of nanostructures using a novel nanolithographic technique called Patterning via Optical Saturable Transitions (POST). In this technique the chemical properties of organic photochromic molecules that undergo single-photon reactions are exploited, enabling rapid top-down nanopatterning over large areas at low light intensities, thereby, allowing for the circumvention of the far-field diffraction barrier.4 Simple, cost-effective, high throughput and resolution alternatives to nanopatterning are being explored, such as, two-photon polymerization5,6, beam pen lithography (BPL)7, scanning electron beam lithography (SEBL), and focused ion beam (FIB) patterning. However, multi-photon approaches require high light intensities, which limit their potential for high throughput and offer low image contrast. Although, electron and ion beam lithographic processes offer increased resolution, the serial nature of the process is limited to slow writing speeds, which also prevents patterning of features over large areas. Beam-pen lithography is an approach towards parallel near-field optical lithography. However, the gap between the source of the beam and the surface of the photoresist needs to be controlled extremely precisely for good pattern uniformity and this is very challenging to accomplish for large arrays of beams. Patterning via Optical Saturable Transitions (POST) is an alternative optical nanopatterning technique for patterning sub-wavelength features1-3. Since this technique uses single photons instead of electrons, it is extremely fast and does not require high light intensities1-3, opening the door to massive parallelization.

We report that the diffraction limit of conventional optical lithography can be overcome by exploiting the transitions of organic photochromic derivatives induced by their photoisomerization at low light intensities.1-3 This paper outlines our fabrication technique and two locking mechanisms, namely: dissolution of one photoisomer and electrochemical oxidation.

This protocol describes the fabrication and characterization of nanostructures using a novel nanolithographic technique called Patterning via Optical ...

Printing Fabrication of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells and In Situ Morphology Characterization

Polymer-based materials hold promise as low-cost, flexible efficient photovoltaic devices. Most laboratory efforts to achieve high performance devices have used devices prepared by spin coating, a process that is not amenable to large-scale fabrication. This mismatch in device fabrication makes it difficult to translate quantitative results obtained in the laboratory to the commercial level, making optimization difficult. Using a mini-slot die coater, this mismatch can be resolved by translating the commercial process to the laboratory and characterizing the structure formation in the active layer of the device in real time and in situ as films are coated onto a substrate. The evolution of the morphology was characterized under different conditions, allowing us to propose a mechanism by which the structures form and grow. This mini-slot die coater offers a simple, convenient, material efficient route by which the morphology in the active layer can be optimized under industrially relevant conditions. The goal of this protocol is to show experimental details of how a solar cell device is fabricated using a mini-slot die coater and technical details of running in situ structure characterization using the mini-slot die coater.

Printing Fabrication of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells and In Situ Morphology Characterization

Here, we present a protocol to fabricate organic thin film solar cells using a mini-slot die coater and related in-line structure characterizations using synchrotron scattering techniques.

Polymer-based materials hold promise as low-cost, flexible efficient photovoltaic devices. Most laboratory efforts to achieve high performance devices ...

Free-form Light Actuators &#8212; Fabrication and Control of Actuation in Microscopic Scale

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are smart materials capable of reversible shape-change in response to external stimuli, and have attracted researchers&#39; attention in many fields. Most of the studies focused on macroscopic LCE structures (films, fibers) and their miniaturization is still in its infancy. Recently developed lithography techniques, e.g., mask exposure and replica molding, only allow for creating 2D structures on LCE thin films. Direct laser writing (DLW) opens access to truly 3D fabrication in the microscopic scale. However, controlling the actuation topology and dynamics at the same length scale remains a challenge.
In this paper we report on a method to control the liquid crystal (LC) molecular alignment in the LCE microstructures of arbitrary three-dimensional shape. This was made possible by a combination of direct laser writing for both the LCE structures as well as for micrograting patterns inducing local LC alignment. Several types of grating patterns were used to introduce different LC alignments, which can be subsequently patterned into the LCE structures. This protocol allows one to obtain LCE microstructures with engineered alignments able to perform multiple opto-mechanical actuation, thus being capable of multiple functionalities. Applications can be foreseen in the fields of tunable photonics, micro-robotics, lab-on-chip technology and others.

Here, we fabricate 3D polymeric micro/nano structures in which both the shape and the molecular alignment can be engineered with nanometer scale accuracy by the use of direct laser writing. Light induced deformation of several types of liquid crystalline elastomer microstructures can be controlled in the microscopic scale.

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are smart materials capable of reversible shape-change in response to external stimuli, and have attracted ...

Fabrication and Characterization of Superconducting Resonators

Superconducting microwave resonators are of interest for a wide range of applications, including for their use as microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) for the detection of faint astrophysical signatures, as well as for quantum computing applications and materials characterization. In this paper, procedures are presented for the fabrication and characterization of thin-film superconducting microwave resonators. The fabrication methodology allows for the realization of superconducting transmission-line resonators with features on both sides of an atomically smooth single-crystal silicon dielectric. This work describes the procedure for the installation of resonator devices into a cryogenic microwave testbed and for cool-down below the superconducting transition temperature. The set-up of the cryogenic microwave testbed allows one to do careful measurements of the complex microwave transmission of these resonator devices, enabling the extraction of the properties of the superconducting lines and dielectric substrate (e.g., internal quality factors, loss and kinetic inductance fractions), which are important for device design and performance.

Superconducting microwave resonators are of interest for detection of light, quantum computing applications and materials characterization. This work presents a detailed procedure for fabrication and characterization of superconducting microwave resonator scattering parameters.

Superconducting microwave resonators are of interest for a wide range of applications, including for their use as microwave kinetic inductance detectors ...

Fabrication of White Light-emitting Electrochemical Cells with Stable Emission from Exciplexes

The authors present an approach for fabricating stable white light emission from polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (PLECs) having an active layer which consists of blue-fluorescent poly(9,9-di-n-dodecylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFD) and &#960;-conjugated triphenylamine molecules. This white light emission originates from exciplexes formed between PFD and amines in electronically excited states. A device containing PFD, 4,4&#39;,4&#39;&#39;-tris[2-naphthyl(phenyl)amino]triphenylamine (2-TNATA), Poly(ethylene oxide) and K2CF3SO3 showed white light emission with Commission internationale de l&#39;&#233;clairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.33, 0.43) and a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of Ra = 73 at an applied voltage of 3.5 V. Constant voltage measurements showed that the CIE coordinates of (0.27, 0.37), Ra of 67, and the emission color observed immediately after application of a voltage of 5 V were nearly unchanged and stable after 300 sec.

The authors present a method for fabricating stable white-light-emitting electrochemical cells utilizing emission from exciplexes formed between a blue-emitting fluorene polymer and aromatic amines.

The authors present an approach for fabricating stable white light emission from polymer light-emitting electrochemical cells (PLECs) having an active ...