Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers as Subwavelength Optical Waveguides Incorporating Quantum Dots

摘要

There is considerable interest in the use of subwavelength-diameter optical waveguides for applications in nanophotonic devices.[1], [2] Silica fibers, for example, can be drawn to remarkably small diameters and used as waveguides.[3] However, manipulating such fibers in order to incorporate them into integrated devices is a challenge, as is the coupling of light into such small guides. Conventional approaches to optical coupling into fibers such as butt-coupling, mechanical lapping, and tapered waveguides involve steps such as cleaving, polishing, and alignment that are difficult to implement with subwavelength structures.[4], [5] We have explored a process for forming polymeric nanofibers using a technique that can deposit the fibers as optical waveguides directly on planar integrated optical structures. Incorporation of nanoparticles into the fibers can alter the optical properties of the fiber or act as internal optically active elements.