ABSTRACT
Owing to the additional functionalities endowed by nanoparticle dopants, liquid crystals doped with nanoparticles are promising optical materials in a wide range of applications. In this study, we exploited the photothermal effect of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-doped 5CB nematic liquid crystals (LC-rGO) to develop an infrared (IR) detector that is not only sensitive to IR but also measures the temperature and energy deposited in the detector. We demonstrate that rGO doping in LCs significantly enhances the IR absorption and transforms the light energy into thermal energy through the photothermal effect. The changes in the orientational order and birefringence of the LC-rGO induced by the photothermal effect under IR irradiation were manifested as an instantaneous color change in the white light probe beam. The change in the probe beam intensity was further translated into a temperature change and energy deposited in the detector. We also demonstrated that the external voltage applied to the detector significantly amplifies the photothermal responsivity by compensating for the anchoring energy of the LC. This study proposes a novel technology for detecting IR, temperature, and energy deposited in the detector by means of visible light, which has significant potential for developing large-area and high-resolution IR detectors by exploiting mature liquid crystal display technologies.
ABSTRACT
This study systematically investigated an atmospheric pressure plasma reactor with a centered single pin electrode inside a dielectric tube for depositing the polyaniline (PANI) thin film based on the experimental case studies relative to variations in pin electrode configurations (cases I, II, and III), bluff-body heights, and argon (Ar) gas flow rates. In these cases, the intensified charge-coupled device and optical emission spectroscopy were analyzed to investigate the factors affecting intensive glow-like plasma generation for deposition with a large area. Compared to case I, the intense glow-like plasma of the cases II and III generated abundant reactive nitrogen species (RNSs) and excited argon radical species for fragmentation and recombination of PANI. In case III, the film thickness and deposition rate of the PANI thin film were about 450 nm and 7.5 nm/min, respectively. This increase may imply that the increase in the excited radical species contributes to the fragmentation and recombination due to the increase in RNSs and excited argon radicals during the atmospheric pressure (AP) plasma polymerization to obtain the PANI thin film. This intense glow-like plasma generated broadly by the AP plasma reactor can uniformly deposit the PANI thin film, which is confirmed by field emission-scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
ABSTRACT
Unlike the ideal circular whispering gallery cavities, those without mirror symmetry intrinsically support resonant modes exhibiting chirality which indicates an imbalance between clockwise and counterclockwise wave components. In extreme cases, nearly degenerate pairs of copropagating modes can be found around the chiral exceptional points (EPs) in parameter spaces. The chiral EPs have been studied in various schemes; however, most attention has been focused on the cases with piecewise constant or periodic refractive index profiles. In this Letter, we report the formation of a chiral EP in a gradient-index cavity designed by conformal transformation optics. Here, the mirror symmetry of the cavity is broken solely by its gradient index profile, and the parameter space is constructed with coordinate transformation parameters. We unveil the chirality, nonorthogonality, and complex-square-root topology near the chiral EP, which can be explained by the non-Hermitian model Hamiltonian.
ABSTRACT
Layer-release techniques for producing freestanding III-V epitaxial layers have been actively developed for heterointegration of single-crystalline compound semiconductors with Si platforms. However, for the release of target epitaxial layers from III-V heterostructures, it is required to embed a mechanically or chemically weak sacrificial buffer beneath the target layers. This requirement severely limits the scope of processable materials and their epi-structures and makes the growth and layer-release process complicated. Here, we report that epitaxial layers in commonly used III-V heterostructures can be precisely released with an atomic-scale surface flatness via a buffer-free separation technique. This result shows that heteroepitaxial interfaces of a normal lattice-matched III-V heterostructure can be mechanically separated without a sacrificial buffer and the target interface for separation can be selectively determined by adjusting process conditions. This technique of selective release of epitaxial layers in III-V heterostructures will provide high fabrication flexibility in compound semiconductor technology.
ABSTRACT
The electrical properties of polycrystalline graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are determined by grain-related parameters-average grain size, single-crystalline grain sheet resistance, and grain boundary (GB) resistivity. However, extracting these parameters still remains challenging because of the difficulty in observing graphene GBs and decoupling the grain sheet resistance and GB resistivity. In this work, we developed an electrical characterization method that can extract the average grain size, single-crystalline grain sheet resistance, and GB resistivity simultaneously. We observed that the material property, graphene sheet resistance, could depend on the device dimension and developed an analytical resistance model based on the cumulative distribution function of the gamma distribution, explaining the effect of the GB density and distribution in the graphene channel. We applied this model to CVD-grown monolayer graphene by characterizing transmission-line model patterns and simultaneously extracted the average grain size (~5.95 µm), single-crystalline grain sheet resistance (~321 Ω/sq), and GB resistivity (~18.16 kΩ-µm) of the CVD-graphene layer. The extracted values agreed well with those obtained from scanning electron microscopy images of ultraviolet/ozone-treated GBs and the electrical characterization of graphene devices with sub-micrometer channel lengths.
ABSTRACT
Using the transformation cavity, a gradient index cavity designed by transformation optics, we propose a hybrid resonator system to extract unidirectional narrow-beam emission from high-Q whispering gallery modes by embedding a transformation cavity inside a deformed uniform index cavity that exhibits unidirectional narrow-beam emission. For effective mode coupling between the transformation cavity and enclosing cavity, the embedded transformation cavity is designed to have bidirectional evanescent emission, which enables most of the emission from the transformation cavity to be laterally incident on the rim of the enclosing deformed cavity. Consequently, ultrahigh-Q resonances of this system can provide a sharp free-space light output, which is difficult to achieve by embedding a homogeneous disk cavity instead of the transformation cavity.
ABSTRACT
It was reported that whispering gallery cavities designed by conformal transformation optics can support high-Q resonant modes with emission directionality. Intrinsically, these cavities have gradient index profiles implementing conformal mappings in physical space. In this paper, using the linear coordinate transformation, we propose another design scheme of whispering gallery cavities with (piecewise-) homogeneous, anisotropic index profile. We numerically show that so-designed cavities are also able to support high-Q whispering gallery modes with directional far-field emission patterns. We verify such characteristics by using a phase space representation (called the Poincaré Husimi function) of the intracavity wave function.
ABSTRACT
By providing an effective way to leverage nonlinear phenomena in integrated devices, high-Q optical resonators have led to recent advances in on-chip photonics. However, developing fabrication processes to shape any new material into a resonator with extremely smooth surfaces on a chip has been an exceptionally challenging task. Here, we describe a universal method to implement ultra-high-Q resonators with any new material having desirable properties that can be deposited by physical vapor deposition. Using this method light-guiding cores with surface roughness on the molecular-scale are created automatically on pre-patterned substrates. Its efficacy has been verified using As2S3, a chalcogenide glass that has high-nonlinearity. The Q-factor of the As2S3 resonator so-developed approached the propagation loss record achieved in chalcogenide fibers which were limited by material losses. Owing to the boosted Q-factor, lasing by stimulated Brillouin scattering has been demonstrated with 100 times lower threshold power than the previous record.
ABSTRACT
Graphene-metal contact is crucial to fabricate high-performance graphene photodetectors since the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the photodetector depends on the contact properties, and the influence of the contact properties is particularly dominant in short channel devices for high-speed applications. Moreover, junction properties between the channel graphene and graphene near the contact are also important to analyze the photoresponse because the built-in electric field in the junction determines the EQE of the photodetector. In this study, we investigated a relation between the photoresponse and the built-in electric field induced from the doping level difference in the junction between the channel graphene and graphene near the contact. The photoresponse could be enhanced with a high junction barrier height that is tuned by the doping level difference. In addition, we observed that the improved electrical characteristics of channel graphene do not guarantee the enhancement of the photoresponse characteristics of graphene photodetectors.
ABSTRACT
We investigated the effect of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) doping on the birefringence of 5CB liquid crystal (LC). The characteristics of the synthesized rGO and LC-rGO composite with different rGO concentrations were analyzed by atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, white light polarized microscopy, voltage-dependent transmission measurement, and differential scanning calorimetry. We found that doping LC with an appropriate concentration of rGO enhances the birefringence of the LC. This is mainly due to the improved anisotropy of polarizability, which stems from the high shape anisotropy of rGO. However, the aggregation of rGO reduces the birefringence by decreasing the anisotropy of polarizability as well as the order parameter. Our study shows the promising potential of LC-rGO for developing various electro-optic devices that offer improved electro-optic effects.
ABSTRACT
We propose the direct transfer method of single-layer graphene (SLG) from metal catalyst Cu-foil to a polymeric insulator and the direct patterning method of the SLG for electrodes of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) without contamination using soft-lithography. Through soft-lithography, SLG can be formed in various patterns relatively easily in comparison with the conventional photolithography method that has multiple complex process steps to make graphene patterns. Furthermore, the 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene OTFTs are fabricated in solution with SLG source and drain electrodes. As a result, the field-effect mobility of OTFTs based on SLG electrodes was enhanced about 4 times in comparison with that of OTFTs using typical metal electrodes due to the decrease in contact resistance.
ABSTRACT
Electrically enhanced triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) using 3D fabrics and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are suggested for next-generation wearable electronics. TENGs with fabric-fabric- fabric (FFF) and PDMS-fabric-PDMS (PFP) structures were fabricated with ordinary 2D fabrics and honeycomb-like 3D fabrics. A 3D fabric TENG with an FFF structure showed an output voltage of 7 V, 7 times higher than a 2D fabric FFF structured TENG. Interestingly, an extremely high output voltage of 240 V was achieved by a 3D fabric PFP structured TENG. This was attributed to the high surface frictional triboelectric effect between fabric and PDMS and also marginal 3D structure in the 3D fabric active layer.
ABSTRACT
In the case of two-dimensional gradient index cavities designed by the conformal transformation optics, we propose a boundary integral equation method for the calculation of resonant mode functions by employing a fictitious space which is reciprocally equivalent to the physical space. Using the Green's function of the interior region of the uniform index cavity in the fictitious space, resonant mode functions and their far-field distributions in the physical space can be obtained. As a verification, resonant modes in limaçon-shaped transformation cavities were calculated and mode patterns and far-field intensity distributions were compared with those of the same modes obtained from the finite element method.
ABSTRACT
Directional light emission from high-Q resonant modes without significant Q-spoiling has been a long standing issue in deformed dielectric cavities. In limaçon-shaped gradient index dielectric cavities recently proposed by exploiting conformal transformation optics, the variation of Q-factors and emission directionality of resonant modes was traced in their system parameter space. For these cavities, their boundary shapes and refractive index profiles are determined in each case by a chosen conformal mapping which is taken as a coordinate transformation. Through the numerical exploration, we found that bidirectionality factors of generic high-Q resonant modes are not directly proportional to their Q-factors. The optimal system parameters for the coexistence of strong bidirectionality and a high Q-factor was obtained for anisotropic whispering gallery modes supported by total internal reflection.
ABSTRACT
A novel approach to designing anisotropic whispering gallery modes in gradient index cavities has been reported recently. These cavities, called transformation cavities, can support high-Q whispering gallery modes with directional emission. However, it is usually difficult to find the desired conformal mapping, and it may contain unwanted singularities inside. We show that arbitrary-shaped transformation cavities can be designed by virtue of a quasi-conformal mapping method without confronting such problems. Even though the quasi-conformal mapping method is exploited, we verify that the resulting mappings in our case are strictly conformal. As a demonstration, Q-factor, near field intensity, far field pattern, and phase space description of resonant modes formed in so-designed quadrupole-shaped transformation cavities are presented.
ABSTRACT
Graphene grown on a copper (Cu) substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is typically required to be transferred to another substrate for the fabrication of various electrical devices. PMMA-mediated wet process is the most widely used method for CVD-graphene-transfer. However, PMMA residue and wrinkles that inevitably remain on the graphene surface during the transfer process are critical issues degrading the electrical properties of graphene. In this paper, we report on a PMMA-mediated graphene-transfer method that can effectively reduce the density and size of the PMMA residue and the height of wrinkles on the transferred graphene layer. We found out that acetic acid is the most effective PMMA stripper among the typically used solutions to remove the PMMA residue. In addition, we observed that an optimized annealing process can reduce the height of the wrinkles on the transferred graphene layer without degrading the graphene quality. The effects of the suggested wet transfer process were also investigated by evaluating the electrical properties of field-effect transistors fabricated on the transferred graphene layer. The results of this work will contribute to the development of fabrication processes for high-quality graphene devices, given that the transfer of graphene from the Cu substrate is essential process to the application of CVD-graphene.
ABSTRACT
Most methods controlling size and shape of metal nanoparticles are chemical methods, and little work has been done using only plasma methods. Size- and shape-controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) is proposed based on adjusting the gas bubble formation produced between two silver electrodes. The application of a voltage waveform with three different pulse widths during a plasma process in water can generate different gas bubble formations. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of Ag NPs synthesized using three different bubble formations reveal that spherical Ag NPs are synthesized when very tiny bubbles are generated between two electrodes or when only the grounded electrode is enveloped with large gas bubbles, but Ag nanoplates are synthesized when both electrodes are completely enveloped with large gas bubbles.
ABSTRACT
Dielectric cavity systems, which have been studied extensively so far, have uniform refractive indices of their cavities, and Husimi functions, the most widely used phase space representation of optical modes formed in the cavities, accordingly were derived only for these homogeneous index cavities. For the case of the recently proposed gradient index dielectric cavities (called as transformation cavities) designed by optical conformal mapping, we show that the phase space structure of resonant modes can be revealed through the conventional Husimi functions by constructing a reciprocal virtual space. As examples, the Husimi plots were obtained for an anisotropic whispering gallery mode (WGM) and a short-lived mode supported in a limaçon-shaped transformation cavity. The phase space description of the corresponding modes in the reciprocal virtual space is compatible with the far-field directionality of the resonant modes in the physical space.
ABSTRACT
Microphones for hearing aid systems are required to have high sensitivity, an appropriate bandwidth, and a wide dynamic range. In this paper, a high sensitivity microphone, 4 mm in diameter and using a multilayer graphene-PMMA laminated diaphragm that can be applied in hearing aids, is designed, optimized, and implemented. Typically, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) has been used for the diaphragm of electret condenser microphones (ECM), and this method provides simple, low cost mass production. Generally, the sensitivity of the commercial 4 mm diameter ECM is about -30 to 35 dB (0 dB = 1 V/Pa). A microphone using a nanometer-thick graphene diaphragm has been found to have higher sensitivity than the conventional ECM. However, nanometer-thick multilayer graphene is vulnerable to large mechanical shocks or high sound pressures, and the practical production of nanometer-thick diaphragms also poses a challenge. However, if a multilayer graphene diaphragm of the same thickness as the conventional ECM is used, displacement during diaphragm vibration will be severely attenuated due to the high elastic modulus of graphene, and the microphone sensitivity will be greatly reduced. In this paper, we fabricate a multilayer graphene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) laminated diaphragm with sensitivity higher than that of any other microphones currently available for hearing aids, with the appropriate bandwidth in the auditory range. The high sensitivity arises from the laminated structure of the thin graphene membrane with high elastic modulus and from the PMMA membrane with lower elastic modulus and higher dielectric constant. The optimal thickness ratio of the graphene-PMMA layered diaphragm was studied by both analytical and experimental methods, and then a fabricated diaphragm was assembled in a 4 mm diameter microphone package. The performance of the implemented microphone was evaluated, including the sensitivity and total harmonic distortion. It is demonstrated that the microphone using a multilayer graphene-PMMA diaphragm has an excellent sensitivity of -20 dB and a dynamic range of 90 dB, which is on average 9 dB higher than the microphone using the conventional ECM diaphragm.
