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Patterning the tips of optical fibers with metallic nanostructures using nanoskiving.

Authors :
Lipomi DJ
Martinez RV
Kats MA
Kang SH
Kim P
Aizenberg J
Capasso F
Whitesides GM
Source :
Nano letters [Nano Lett] 2011 Feb 09; Vol. 11 (2), pp. 632-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Dec 28.
Publication Year :
2011

Abstract

Convenient and inexpensive methods to pattern the facets of optical fibers with metallic nanostructures would enable many applications. This communication reports a method to generate and transfer arrays of metallic nanostructures to the cleaved facets of optical fibers. The process relies on nanoskiving, in which an ultramicrotome, equipped with a diamond knife, sections epoxy nanostructures coated with thin metallic films and embedded in a block of epoxy. Sectioning produces arrays of nanostructures embedded in thin epoxy slabs, which can be transferred manually to the tips of optical fibers at a rate of approximately 2 min(-1), with 88% yield. Etching the epoxy matrices leaves arrays of nanostructures supported directly by the facets of the optical fibers. Examples of structures transferred include gold crescents, rings, high-aspect-ratio concentric cylinders, and gratings of parallel nanowires.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1530-6992
Volume :
11
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Nano letters
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
21188998
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1021/nl103730g