Artificial Metamaterials and Plasmonics - Essay Example

Report on Emerging Technology Artificial Metamaterials and Plasmonics One problem that has challenged the all computer circuit and telecommunicationsystem is the integration of electronics and light technologies. In today's world where nanotechnology is on the lips of every tech-geek, normal consumers demand smaller, better and faster systems. Signals channeled through fiber optics over long distances as light pulses are sent and received at both ends by electronic circuits. The change over between light and electricity is a complex procedure which results in limiting the size and the speed that can be communicated. Chipsets used for example in quantum computers integrate the usability of light and electronics with the help of metamaterials and Plasmonics. [5] Artificial metamaterials are metastructures made of small units of two or more distinct materials arranged in a precise pattern. This confers unique properties on the material, like reflection or selective propagation of certain wavelengths of light. An interesting consequence of this is that materials with a negative refractive index have been constructed that can focus light much more finely than conventional lenses and can also be used for energy harvesting [5] The study and construction of metamaterials has given a new direction to the field of Plasmonics, the study of Plasmons. These are small waves of electron density that are produced by using light. Using Plasmons, optical signals can be squeezed into very small wires. The induction of plasmons in metamaterials can induce extraordinary optical and magnetic properties in them. The plasmons are placed on top and bottom surfaces of the metamaterial, tying them together. This enables them to move as waves over very long distances through the layers, whereas most plasmon waves get attenuated after a short distance. So the metamaterial acts like a kind of 'plasmonic fibre' comparable to the optical fibres that bear light signals over long distances. And crucially, the plasmon can be turned 'on' and 'off' by applying an electrical field to the metamaterial, which means that plasmonic devices could act as switches, rather like the transistors that supply the key components of logic circuits in today's computer chips [8]. Together, these two developments can be used to envisage higher capacity optical data storage and telecom systems that are ultrafast, compact and highly integrated. [4] Advantages The technology described above is in its development phases but as it is being developed, some advantages can already be reaped. The problem of communicating between the light and electric system of communication is partly solved by the Plasmonics. Plasmonic devices can possibly act as a natural interface with similar speed photonic devices and similar size electronic components to serve as the missing link between the two device technologies that currently have a difficult time communicating. A plasmonic circuit can carry much more data over its network since the frequency of an optical signal is much higher than that of an electrical (400,000 gigahertz versus 60 hertz). [7] [9] The device is not subject to resistance and capacitance effects that limit the data-carrying capacity of integrated circuits with electrical interconnects because electrical charge does not travel from one end of a plasmonic circuit to another. The electrons bunch together and spread apart rather than streaming in a single direction. [9] The behavior of the plasmonics can be tuned according to a given need with ease. The rate at which they transmit the data can be altered by changing the geometry of perforations rather than having to develop a whole new composition of materials. [7] Operating speeds and critical dimensions of various chip-scale device technologies, highlighting the strengths of the different technologies [6] Eventually plasmonics may be able to completely solve this issue to give boost to nanoscale functionality and become the next wave of chip-scale technology. Disadvantages The main limitation to the application of metamaterials in Plasmonics today is that their signals tend to dissipate after reaching only a few millimeters. This makes their application in making computer chips limited since computer chips are a few centimeter wide and they have to transmit data within this centimeter range. The signal spans for a short time and range making this a prospective yet a developing technology in quantum computing. Further improvement is likely to be seen in this area which will make sending of data easier, quicker and to longer distances. [1] Future of this Technology As it was discussed that the main limitation for plasmonics is their data sending ability over distances longer than a few millimeters while to serve in computer chips the distance should be of several centimeters. The future holds the answer to this problem. The tech-geeks are already talking about using a low refractive index material ideally with a negative index so that incoming electromagnetic energy is reflected parallel to the surface of the material and transmitted along its length as far as possible. The only known natural material with such a low refractive index is possessed by 'Opal' which is positive. The opal is composed of cristobalite, a high-temperature polymorph of quartz and tridymite produced in volcanic eruptions. The resulting material is made up of a huge number of tiny mineral cells that are constantly tumbling in relation to another, creating the macro-scale effect of a beautiful display of multiple colors. Since no natural material with a negative refractive index exists, nanostructured materials are thought to be the way forward to fabricate effective plasmonic devices. [1] [7] Researchers are talking about developing a devise called a 'plasmonster' switch which would be a three-terminal plasmonic device with properties similar to that of a transistor. This will create more useful and faster plasmonic circuits with better performance. This technology could serve as the core of an ultrafast signal-processing system to be used for the times to come. [1] [7] Development of all-plasmonic chips is in the testing phase as yet. But before these can be developed, plasmonics will probably be integrated with conventional silicon devices. Plasmonic wires will act as high-bandwidth freeways across the busiest areas of the chip for faster access and delivery. [1] Since their optical transmission can be altered by changing the geometry of perforations, these materials can also be superior as optical sensors, and they open the possibility of ultra-small sources of light. If they are precisely organized, they can serve as templates for making their own clones or for making other ordered structures at the nanoscale, such as arrays of nanoparticles. [7] Effect on Industry Quantum computers will emerge as the superior computational devices at the very least, and perhaps one day make today's modern computer obsolete. The effect on the industry will be a complete revolution where modern computing will take its due place. Our fast paced lives now demand faster computers, and quantum computers will fill this void. There are several applications of the quantum computer technology that is being used. Application Plasmonic circuits could help the designers of computer chips build fast interconnects that could move large amounts of data across a chip. Plasmonic components might also improve the resolution of microscopes, the efficiency of light-emitting diodes, and the sensitivity of chemical and biological detectors. [3] [4] Plasmonic materials may also revolutionize the lighting industry by making LEDs bright enough to compete with incandescent bulbs. Thomas Edison's bulbs could well be on the way out with the developments in the field pf plasmonics in quantum computing. It is proven as a fact that plasmonic enhancement of the electric field at the metal-dielectric boundary could increase the emission rate of luminescent dyes placed near the metal's surface. Recently researchers have shown that this type of field enhancement can also dramatically raise the emission rates of quantum dots and quantum wells which that absorb and emit light thus increasing the efficiency and brightness of solid-state LEDs. Coating the surface of a gallium nitride LED with dense arrays of plasmonic nanoparticles (made of silver, gold or aluminum) could increase the intensity of the emitted light 14-fold. [3] [4] Some scientists have even speculated that plasmonic materials could alter the electromagnetic field around an object to such an extent that it would become invisible. Maybe 'The Invisible Man' (published in 1897 written by H. G. Wells) is not such a fiction as was thought before. In the book a young scientist discovers how to make his own body's refractive index equal to that of air, rendering him invisible. Since a material's refractive index is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in the material, this idea can be applied in the making of an Invisibly Cloak (resembling to the ones described in the books of Harry Potter). When a plasmonic structure is excited with a radiation that is close to the structure's resonant frequency, it can make its refractive index equal to air's, meaning that it would neither bend nor reflect light. The structure would absorb light, but if it were coated with a material that amplified the transmitted signal the increase in intensity would balance the absorption. The structure would become invisible. This is a practical idea but it can be invisible with radiation in a selected range of frequencies. [3] [4] Scientists are also considering medical applications, designing tiny particles that could use plasmon resonance absorption to kill cancerous tissues. This phenomenon has turned nanoshells into a promising tool for cancer treatment. When injected with plasmonic nanoshells into the bloodstream of mice with cancerous tumors it was observed that these particles were nontoxic and they embedded themselves in the mice's cancerous tissues rather than the healthy ones because more blood was circulated to the fast-growing tumors. More recently it has also been discovered that nanoshells can also be attached to antibodies to ensure that they target cancers making this technology more useful. In the world where deception and fraud can be done easily using the latest technology, plasmonics provide a security application as well. Plasmonics can also been used in biosensors for example in the recognition of a signature. When a particular protein or DNA molecule rests on the surface of a plasmon-carrying metallic material, it leaves its characteristic signature in the angle at which it reflects the energy. This signature can be stored and matched with evidence. [3] [4] SWOT Analysis Proposing a business plan, it will be ideal to look at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats this emerging technology provides to the industry. Strengths Increased Speed of data transmission and receiving rates More data storage and capacity Quantum computing Weaknesses In its developing stage so future is uncertain High costs are likely to be incurred at first Opportunities Since it is in the development phase, any company which develops this first will definitely be the innovator and can charge highly for this technology. Wide scopes since faster and smaller computers are the need of the world today Threats Other emerging technologies Other companies might produce the complete models and launch it first Similar Markets and Investment Challenges The whole computer industry can be considered as the closest rival to this technology. Since faster and smaller computing is the need of everyone, this technology is ideal. Its applications in Biosensors, Medicine, Defense and Light can have revolutionary impact on the things to come. Computer gaming, graphics designing and hi-fi processing needs of worldwide companies will be on the look out for the availability of this technology. While the semi-conductors industry has already introduced nanoelectronics in the market, it continues to face challenges in cost and its feasibility at this early stage. Although Metamaterials and Plasmonics will greatly reduce the cost for circuits, the initial investment to promote the product and market its reliability and speed will remain a challenge until more competitors enter the market. Relation to Nanotechnology Nanotechnology is the buzz word today and has been for quite a while now. Everybody wants the tiniest and the smallest of gadgets with maximum functionality, be it a mobile, an mp3 player or a computer. They all want it in one with a smaller size. Metamaterials and Plasmonics is an emerging field where it their uses are countless. Metamaterials are often associated with nanotechnology because the tiny repeating cell structures used for optics applications are measured in nanometers. Creating metamaterials may require novel fabrication methods, made possible only through nanotechnology. As nanotechnology progresses in the coming decades, it will unlock new metamaterials and lower their cost. [2] When we talk about the restrictions of plasmonics to send signals more that a few millimeters, a way forward is using nanostructured materials fabricated effectively to make plasmonic devices since there exists no natural material with a negative refractive index. For this reason, plasmonics is frequently associated with nanotechnology. [1] Works Cited 1. Anissimov, Michael (2007), "What-is-Plasmonics", Wise Geeks, Retrieved 29th October, 2007 from 2. Anissimov, Michael (2007), "What-is-a-Metamaterial", Wise Geeks, Retrieved 29th October, 2007 from 3. Atwater, H A (2007), "The Promise of Plasmonics: Overview/Plasmonics", Scientific American, Retrieved 29th October, 2007 from 4. Atwater, HA (2007), "The Promise of Plasmonics, Scientific American", April. Retrieved 1st October, 2007 from 5. Ball, P 2007, "TR10: Invisible Revolution", Technology Review, 12 March. Retrieved 1st October, 2007 , from http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspxch=specialsections&sc=emerging&i d=18292 6. "Picture, Operating speeds and critical dimensions of various chip-scale device technologies, highlighting the strengths of the different technologies", Retrieved 29th October, 2007 from 7. "Plasmonics", Blog Spot, Retrieved 29th October, 2007 from 8. "Ruffled electrons could introduce a new information technology" PR13(07) 22 May 2007, Press release from the Institute of Physics (IOP). Retrieved 1st October, 2007, from http://www.iop.org/Media/Press%20Releases/press_22279.html 9. Ziaa, Rashid; Schullera, Jon A.; Chandrana, Anu and Brongersmaa, Mark L. (2006), "Plasmonics: the next chip-scale technology", Retrieved 29th October, 2007 from Read More