Graphene coated ZnO nanowire optical waveguides
Optics Express
|October 17, 2014
Summary
Freestanding graphene coated zinc oxide nanowires (GZNs) demonstrate enhanced light-matter interactions for optical waveguiding. These GZNs exhibit significant linear absorption and nonlinear saturable absorption, paving the way for nanophotonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires are promising for photonic applications due to their unique optical properties.
- Graphene's exceptional optoelectronic characteristics offer potential for enhancing nanophotonic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate and characterize freestanding graphene coated ZnO nanowires (GZNs) for optical waveguiding.
- To investigate the light-graphene interaction and explore the potential of GZNs in nanophotonic devices.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of GZNs using tape-assist transfer under micromanipulation.
- Characterization of optical properties, including linear absorption and nonlinear saturable absorption.
- Demonstration of transmission modulation for optical signals.
Main Results:
- Achieved high linear absorption (0.11 dB/µm) in a 606-nm-diameter GZN at 1550 nm.
- Observed nonlinear saturable absorption in a 475-nm-diameter GZN with a low peak power threshold (1.3 W).
- Demonstrated transmission modulation using a 590-nm-diameter GZN, highlighting its potential for nanophotonic applications.
Conclusions:
- Freestanding GZNs exhibit enhanced light-graphene interaction due to their subwavelength diameter and high index contrast.
- GZNs show significant potential as building blocks for advanced nanophotonic devices, including modulators and absorbers.
