Home > Press > Scientists control the flow of heat and light in photonic crystals
 |
| Once the laser beam hits the surface of a sample it starts to generate heat which diffuses along the membrane but also it diffuses to the ambient gas. That effect reduces the width of the temperature distribution in the photonic crystal membrane. |
Abstract:
Scientists from the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Twente in the Netherlands and Thales Research & Technology, France, have found a way to control heat propagation in photonic nano-sized devices, which will be used for high speed communications and quantum information technologies. Their results are published in the leading American journal Applied Physics Letters on 30 April 2015.
Scientists control the flow of heat and light in photonic crystals
Enschede, Netherlands | Posted on May 9th, 2015Heat controls light
Photonic crystals, are photonic structures with nano-sized geometrical features, are useful for the light control, for example, they can be used to make ultra-compact integrated circuits for light. One of the simplest and most versatile ways to control these circuits is by heating them, thereby locally changing their properties. However, it is extremely important to apply heat at the right place, but this is difficult because heat tends to diffuse. As a consequence neighboring elements will be affected by the heat, producing unwanted changes in structures with multiple elements. However, heat propagation in thin membranes also depends on the surrounding media, thus providing an extra degree of freedom to control the heat distribution.
Thus, the temperature distribution across the membrane can be reduced by changing the embedding medium. The faster the heat diffuses away, the narrower the temperature distribution is in the photonic crystal membrane.
The researchers experimentally and theoretically show that significantly better control is obtained using high thermal conductivity gases as the surrounding media. They found that when helium is used as the ambient gas, the width of the temperature distribution in the structure is reduced by 30% when compared to air. The results the researchers obtained are important because they enable thermal tuning of coupled resonators which will be valuable in the quest to build programmable optical circuits.
The research is founded by the European Research Council grant (№279248).
The paper
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 106, p. 171113 (2015)
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Jochem Vreeman
University of Twente
0031612221253
Sergei Sokolov, MSc.
University of Twente
Prof. Allard Mosk
University of Twente
Dr. Alfredo De Rossi
Thales Research & Technology
Copyright © University of Twente
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
| Related News Press |
News and information
Closing the gaps — MXene-coating filters can enhance performance and reusability February 28th, 2025
Rice researchers harness gravity to create low-cost device for rapid cell analysis February 28th, 2025
Wireless/telecommunications/RF/Antennas/Microwaves
HKUST researchers develop new integration technique for efficient coupling of III-V and silicon February 16th, 2024
Researchers demonstrate co-propagation of quantum and classical signals: Study shows that quantum encryption can be implemented in existing fiber networks January 20th, 2023
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
Rice researchers harness gravity to create low-cost device for rapid cell analysis February 28th, 2025
Quantum engineers ‘squeeze’ laser frequency combs to make more sensitive gas sensors January 17th, 2025
Chainmail-like material could be the future of armor: First 2D mechanically interlocked polymer exhibits exceptional flexibility and strength January 17th, 2025
Quantum Computing
New ocelot chip makes strides in quantum computing: Based on "cat qubits," the technology provides a new way to reduce quantum errors February 28th, 2025
New quantum encoding methods slash circuit complexity in machine learning November 8th, 2024
Quantum researchers cause controlled ‘wobble’ in the nucleus of a single atom September 13th, 2024
Researchers observe “locked” electron pairs in a superconductor cuprate August 16th, 2024
Discoveries
Closing the gaps — MXene-coating filters can enhance performance and reusability February 28th, 2025
Rice researchers harness gravity to create low-cost device for rapid cell analysis February 28th, 2025
Announcements
Closing the gaps — MXene-coating filters can enhance performance and reusability February 28th, 2025
Rice researchers harness gravity to create low-cost device for rapid cell analysis February 28th, 2025
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters
Leading the charge to better batteries February 28th, 2025
Quantum interference in molecule-surface collisions February 28th, 2025
New ocelot chip makes strides in quantum computing: Based on "cat qubits," the technology provides a new way to reduce quantum errors February 28th, 2025
Photonics/Optics/Lasers
Bringing the power of tabletop precision lasers for quantum science to the chip scale December 13th, 2024
Researchers succeed in controlling quantum states in a new energy range December 13th, 2024
Groundbreaking research unveils unified theory for optical singularities in photonic microstructures December 13th, 2024
Research partnerships
SMART researchers pioneer first-of-its-kind nanosensor for real-time iron detection in plants February 28th, 2025
Gene therapy relieves back pain, repairs damaged disc in mice: Study suggests nanocarriers loaded with DNA could replace opioids May 17th, 2024
Discovery points path to flash-like memory for storing qubits: Rice find could hasten development of nonvolatile quantum memory April 5th, 2024
Researchers’ approach may protect quantum computers from attacks March 8th, 2024
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||