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Projects


Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number EP/C00504X/1
Title The fabrication and applications of fibre nanowires and related devices
Status Completed
Energy Categories Energy Efficiency(Other) 100%;
Research Types Basic and strategic applied research 100%
Science and Technology Fields ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Professor DJ Richardson
No email address given
Optoelectronics Research Centre
University of Southampton
Award Type Standard
Funding Source EPSRC
Start Date 01 March 2005
End Date 31 August 2009
Duration 54 months
Total Grant Value £247,515
Industrial Sectors Electronics; Communications; Healthcare; Energy
Region South East
Programme Cross-Discipline Interface, Information & Communication Technology, Materials, Mechanical and Medical Eng, Physical Sciences
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Professor DJ Richardson , Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton (99.997%)
  Other Investigator Dr G Brambilla , Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton (0.001%)
Dr WH Loh , Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton (0.001%)
Professor J Wilkinson , Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton (0.001%)
Web Site
Objectives
Abstract The development of optical nanowires, i.e. fine optical fibres with a sub-micron diameter, and nanowire devices has generated significant scientific and technological interest subsequent to the first report on the fabrication of low loss (<0.1dB/mm) silica nanowires in a Nature paper by Tong et al. in Dec 2003. In a recent publication we have demonstrated a further ~18dB loss reduction for nanowires using a far simpler process based on minor modifications to the conventional flame based tapering technique currently used for commercial micron scale fibre taper and coupler production. We have also demonstrated >10cm long nanofibres based on this approach - two times longer than previous reported by Tong et al.. The aim of this project is to further develop nanowire technology and to begin to investigate use of the technology in a number of key application areas. Specifically we propose to (1) investigate the limits in terms of minimum nanowire loss and length for silicananowires produced using the flame brush technique, and to develop microheater based approaches for the production of non-silica nanofibres, (2) to develop the technology to manipulate, handle and preserve nanofibre devices, and (3) to study, design and manufacture devices for applications in telecommunication, optics and sensing in biology/chemistry. We place particular emphasis within this project on the development of nonsilica based nanofibres, particularly those with a high optical nonlinearity such as lead silicate and bismuthate glasses, as this will reduce the powers required to obtain a supercontinuum down to practical levels and allow applications of nanofibres in spectral regions that are currently precluded by the absorption of silica. If successful this project should lead amongst others to new techniques to manipulate and detect living cells, new ways to connect fibres, waveguides and optical circuits with low loss, high-finesse filters and dispersive elements, and new opticalsources for defence, medical, display and aerospace applications
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 01/01/07