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| New waves shrink to nano-sizes |
| Can electric wires that carry information get any smaller? Can information be transmitted faster? A collaboration between the Applied Optics Program at the Queensland University of Technology (Australia) and the Department of Optical Science and Technology at the University of Tokushima (Japan) aims to transfer information on the miniscule nano-scale. Optic fibres carry information at the speed of light—much faster than electric wires. However, optic fibres ‘are simply too big to make things like computer chips!’, explains Dr David Pile, an Australian researcher working at the University of Tokushima. ‘We are working out how tiny metal structures can mould the flow of light in a really small space—smaller than ever before. The Japanese are great at making small things’. Until recently, the minimum size of optical devices (that produce or control light) was about one micron (one millionth of a metre). To miniaturise these devices further, researchers are developing metallic structures in nano-sizes (one billionth of a metre) that could carry newly discovered types of plasma waves, called plasmons. The team is experimenting at Tokushima University to confirm these new waves exist. And recently, they observed the new plasmons for the first time. David explains the benefits of the collaboration: ‘Australian researchers and students are gaining access to modern experimental facilities that are not readily available in Australia’. ‘Japan is benefiting from the theoretical support and collaboration of the Australian researchers who discovered the new types of waves’. Our nano-scale future looks bright, with possible applications in super fast optical/quantum computers, communications systems and medical imaging systems. Contact in Australia: Dr Dmitri Gramotnev Email: d.gramotnev@qut.edu.au Website: http://src.sci.qut.edu.au/programs/optical_physics/index.jsp Ph: +61 7 3864 2953 Fax: +61 7 3864 1521 Contact in Japan: Dr Masuo Fukui, Department of Optical Science & Technology The University of Tokushima, Tokushima Email: fukui@opt.tokushima-u.ac.jp Website: http://www.opt.tokushima-u.ac.jp/english/index.html Ph: +81-8-8656-9410 Fax: +81-8-8656-9410 |
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