Light causes us
the sensation of sight and is essential for the existence of life. Researchers
have been studying the nature of light and its behaviour at different levels,
such discoveries has given to birth to a new field called NANOPHOTONICS.
Nanophotonics
is a branch of optics, optical engineering, electrical engineering and as well
as a branch of nanotechnology. Nanophotonics investigates the behaviour of
light on nanometer scale and interaction of nano particles with light. Its aim
is to go beyond electronics and build up circuits which are totally run by
light. Light travels in straight line so it is crucial to build a technology
which can bend along what is require in the circuit.
Researchers from university of Hyderabad have discovered a technique which is called mechanophotonics which allow to move, bend, slice, lift micron sized waveguiding crystals with the help of atomic force microscopy. Researchers have also developed crucial photonic elements like microresonators which are light trapping elements. They also developed organic photonic integrated circuit or OPIC using the same technique.
Nanophotonics can be used in many
fields ranging from biochemistry to electrical engineering. It is now possible
to go beyond current electronics and building up of photonic circuits.
Applications of Nanophotonics
Microelectronics:
Circuits can be squeezed into the
small volumes. Micro photodetecors have various properties like- high speed,
low noise, low power and low voltage.
Microscopy:
with this technology it is possible
to build lens called superlens which provide a better image that are more
precise and accurate.
Solar
cells: nanophotonics can intensify
the light absorbed by the solar cells and hence will enhance its efficiency.
Optical
technology: miniaturization can be
achieved by nanophotonics. It is helpful in the devices like of wearable
devices which will be operated entirely by light.
Fibre
optics: fibre optics can be
made at nano scale level with the help of organic materials.
Spectroscopy:
in the traditional spectroscopy, we
can get measurements of average billion or million of molecules but with
nanophotonics, we get high intensity peaks of even single molecule.
Researchers
believe that Nanophotonics is wonderful discovery and will surely gain momentum
with new molecular materials and new microscopy techniques.
