Nanoscale fibre-optics

A group led by Yuan Hsing Fu at the A*STAR Data Storage Institute have demonstrated the potential to miniaturise super fast fibre-optic signalling technology to the nanoscale by using nanoparticles to scatter light in controlled directions. It was found experimentally that nanoscale spheres of silicon scattered incident light partly backwards and partly in a forward direction.

It was found that the ratio of forwards and backwards scattering depended on the size of the spheres, and also that different wavelengths of light were scattered in different directions. Silicon can influence both an electrical and magnetic response in the optical spectral range, which could prove promising for the development of optical nanoscale antennas for improvement of solar cells, and for the development of integrated optical circuits.

See more at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130911125311.htm