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2005 Nuggets

Ordered Semiconductor Nanowire Arrays Embedded in a Microstructured Optical Fiber (MOF) for Optoelectronics
Badding, Gopalan, Werner, IRG3

Badding in collaboration with the Optoelectronics Research Center at the University of Southampton, UK has invented a high-pressure technique to fill nano-to-microscale holes within an MOF with semiconductors, metals, and active laser materials over long lengths (30cm typical). These are the highest aspect ratio (2.5x10^6) semiconductor nanowires of materials such as Si and Ge ever demonstrated. Applications envisioned include fiber lasers, infrared fiber guides, alloptical fiber modulators, sensors, and many others. Gopalan spent the summer of 2004 at the Wright Patterson Air Force Research Laboratory (WP-AFRL) with Dr. Kenneth Schepler, and demonstrated guiding of infrared light (=1.55 and 3.2 m) in Si- and Ge- filled silica capillary fibers. Dr. Schepler is coming to Penn State on sabbatical for the Fall 2005 semester to explore the use of these fibers for infrared fiber laser applications. Gopalan and Schepler will also coteach a course entitled "Nonlinear Optics And Laser Materials" in fall 2005. Optimetrics, through the AFRL, has recently provided Badding and Gopalan seed funding of $25K for pursuing fiber laser applications. Gopalan and Schepler also co-organized a symposium titled "Infrared Materials And Technologies" in October 2004, and plan to make it an annual event.