Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S97613/01
Title:	Carbon Nanotubes for Photonic Devices
Principal Investigator:	Ferrari, Professor AC
Other Investigators:	Robertson, Professor J Milne, Professor WI White, Professor I
Researcher Co-Investigators:	Professor S Reich
Project Partners:	Dow Corning Ltd (UK) Epson (UK) Ltd Intel Corporation Ltd UCL
Department:	Engineering
Organisation:	University of Cambridge
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 October 2004	Ends:	30 September 2007	Value (£):	229,362
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation Optical Devices & Subsystems
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Electronics
Related Grants:	GR/S97620/01
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The aim of the project is to develop carbon nanotubes (CNTS) for a new range of photonic devices, such as saturable absorbers for ultra-short pulse lasers, photonic crystals and electro-optic emitting and modulating devices. Such CNT-based devices are expected to find a wide range of applications not only In optical communications but also in bio-medical instruments, chemical analysis, time resolved spectroscopy, electro-optical sampling. microscopy and surgery. Advantages of CNTS not only include their high speed and strong non-linearity, but also their wide wavelength range, reliability and low cost.This project proposes first to study the non-linear optical behaviour of CNTs and their response times. In order to understand the dependence of optical properties on fabrication technologies, prototype optical structures will be made from both spray-dated CNTS and CNT-polymer composite films_ The project will then form CNT incorporated waveguide structures to determine the potential of direct integration of CNTs into conventional photonic components and circuits_ Various CNT structures will be investigated for potential exploitation as optical switches, absorbers for ultrashort optical systems, emitters and modulators. Finally, as Cambridge has expertise in forming precisely aligned arrays of CNTS, arrays of vertically aligned nanotubes will be used to form photonic band gap crystals.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Impacts
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.cam.ac.uk