Variable carrier reduction in radio-over-fiber systems for increased modulation efficiency using a Si3N4 tunable extinction ratio ring resonator.

Variable optical carrier reduction via the use of a Si(3)N(4) ring resonator notch filter with tunable extinction ratio is demonstrated in a 10 GHz radio-over-fiber system for improving the modulation efficiency. The extinction of the filter notch is tuned with micro-heaters, by setting the Mach-Zehnder coupler of the ring. Experimental results showing a modulation depth improvement of up to 20 dB are provided.

Real-time and low-cost sensing technique based on photonic bandgap structures.

A technique for the development of low-cost and high-sensitivity photonic biosensing devices is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. In this technique, a photonic bandgap structure is used as transducer, but its readout is performed by simply using a broadband source, an optical filter, and a power meter, without the need of obtaining the transmission spectrum of the structure; thus, a really low-cost system and real-time results are achieved. Experimental results show that it is possible to detect very low refractive index variations, achieving a detection limit below 2×10(-6) refractive index units using this low-cost measuring technique.

Patterning pentacene surfaces by local oxidation nanolithography.

Sequential and parallel local oxidation nanolithographies have been applied to pattern pentacene samples by creating a variety of nanostructures. The sequential local oxidation process is performed with an atomic force microscope and requires the application of a sequence of voltage pulses of 36V for 1ms. The parallel local oxidation process is performed by using a conductive and patterned stamp. Then, a voltage pulse is applied between the stamp and the pentacene surface. Patterns formed by arrays of parallel lines covering 1mm(2) regions and with a periodicity of less than 1microm have been generated in a few seconds. We also show that the patterns can be used as templates for the deposition of antibodies.

Large area nanoscale patterning of silicon surfaces by parallel local oxidation.

The homogeneity and the reproducibility of parallel local oxidation have been improved by introducing a thin film of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) between the stamp and the silicon surface. The flexibility of the polymer film enables a homogeneous contact of the stamp with the silicon surface to be achieved. The oxides obtained yield better aspect ratios compared with the ones created with no PMMA layer. The pattern is formed when a bias voltage is applied between the stamp and the silicon surface for 1 min. The patterning can be done by a step and repeat technique and is reproducible across a centimetre length scale. Once the oxide nanostructures have been created, the polymer is removed by etching in acetone. Finally, parallel local oxidation is applied to fabricate silicon nanostructures and templates for the growth of organic molecules.

Imaging and detection of single molecule recognition events on organic semiconductor surfaces.

The combination of organic thin film transistors and biological molecules could open new approaches for the detection and measurement of properties of biological entities. To generate specific addressable binding sites on such substrates, it is necessary to determine how single biological molecules, capable of serving as such binding sites behave upon attachment to semiconductor surfaces. Here, we use a combination of high-resolution atomic force microscopy topographical imaging and single molecule force spectroscopy (TREC), to study the functionality of antibiotin antibodies upon adsorption on pentacene islands, using biotin-functionalized, magnetically coated AFM tips. The antibodies could be stably adsorbed on the pentacene, preserving their functionality of recognizing biotin over the whole observation time of more than one hour. We have resolved individual antigen binding sites on single antibodies for the first time. This highlights the resolution capacity of the technique.

Sub-50 nm positioning of organic compounds onto silicon oxide patterns fabricated by local oxidation nanolithography.

We present a process to fabricate molecule-based nanostructures by merging a bottom-up interaction and a top-down nanolithography. Direct nanoscale positioning arises from the attractive electrostatic interactions between the molecules and silicon dioxide nanopatterns. Local oxidation nanolithography is used to fabricate silicon oxide domains with variable gap separations ranging from 40 nm to several microns in length. We demonstrate that an ionic tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) semiconductor can be directed from a macroscopic liquid solution (1 µM) and selectively deposited onto predefined nanoscale regions of a 1 cm(2) silicon chip with an accuracy of 40 nm.

Patterning polymeric structures with 2 nm resolution at 3 nm half pitch in ambient conditions.

The miniaturization limits of electronic and mechanical devices depend on the minimum pattern periodicity that is stable in ambient conditions. Here we demonstrate an atomic force microscopy lithography that enables the patterning of 2 nm organic structures with 6 nm periodicities in air. We also demonstrate that the lithography can be up-scaled for parallel patterning. The method is based on the formation of a nanoscale octane meniscus between a sharp conductive protrusion and a silicon (100) surface. The application of a high electrical field ( approximately 10 V/nm) produces the polymerization and cross-linking of the octane molecules within the meniscus followed by their deposition. The resulting pattern periodicities are very close to the ultimate theoretical limits achievable in air ( approximately 3 nm). The chemical composition of the patterns has been characterized by photoemission spectroscopy.